Amid heavy rush at registration counters in Jammu, more than 25,000 pilgrims have so far registered for the annual yatra to the Amarnath cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,880 meters in the Himalayan ranges of south Kashmir.
Chief Secretary Atal Dullu on Thursday reviewed the arrangements for the yatra and set June 20 as the deadline to put the key facilities in place.
Registration for the 57-day pilgrimage to the cave shrine began on April 15, drawing enthusiastic devotees in droves to bank branches and online platforms.
Officials said that more than 25,000 pilgrims registered over the past two days, including 19,402 registrations on the first day alone.
The pilgrimage is scheduled to begin on July 3 via the dual routes – the traditional 48 km Noonwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter 14 km Baltal route in Ganderbal district – and will conclude on August 28 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
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Long queues were seen at the registration counters set up by Jammu and Kashmir Bank and Punjab National Bank in Jammu, with devotees chanting “Har Har Mahadev” and “Boom Boom Bholi” as they waited for their turn.
Dulloo chaired a high-level meeting of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) to review arrangements for the smooth and safe conduct of the yatra, setting June 20 as the deadline for completion of the main facilities.
During the meeting, which was attended by senior civic and police officials, Dollu reviewed preparedness across sectors, with focus on ensuring smooth movement of pilgrims along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and both yatra routes, an official spokesperson said.
He directed the departments to strengthen the infrastructure in light of the expected increase in the number of pilgrims this year.
Principal Secretary to the Governor and CEO of SASB, Dr. Mandeep Bhandari, gave a detailed presentation on registration, service arrangements, yatra camps, langar facilities and basic services.
Pratham Puja is scheduled to be held on June 29.
He said the Chief Secretary directed the Border Roads Organization (BRO) to complete snow removal on all roads by May 15 and ensure maintenance of roads, stabilization of slopes and restoration of shelter sheds.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has been asked to complete paving of roads around base camps and repair of helipads at Nilgrath, Baltal and Pahalgam.
The Disaster Management Department has been tasked to identify vulnerable areas and operationalize the Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) in Srinagar by June 10.
Departments including rural sanitation, urban local bodies and development authorities have been directed to ensure proper sanitation and scientific waste disposal systems along the roads.
The health department has been asked to operate 100-bed hospitals in Chandanwari and Balthal by June 20 and ensure adequate medical staff and ambulance services, he said.
The authorities also directed the departments to ensure adequate water supply, uninterrupted power, robust telecom connectivity, weather forecasting systems and adequate availability of essential commodities during the yatra.
Stressing on coordinated efforts, Dolo said all arrangements should be made well in advance to ensure a safe, smooth and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for the devotees.
