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1 lakh pilgrims in 5 days

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 7/1/2012 12:20:48 AM

SRINAGAR, June 30: Over one lakh pilgrims had darshan at the holy cave during the first five days of Amarnath Yatra this year. Thirteen yatris have also died during the period.
Giving details, a spokesman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) said that except for the initial problems due to rough weather, the pilgrimage is going on smoothly. “All essential arrangements - power supply, water supply, sanitation etc. – have been working well. An adequate number of Langars have been set up by the voluntary organizations for the convenience of the Yatris and helicopter services have been operating smoothly both from Pahalgam and Baltal to Panjtarni, except on the first day when the services had to be discontinued for about three hours due to bad weather conditions,” he said.
The spokesman added that the district administration has been asked to keep a close watch on the tentwallas, ponywallas and palkiwallas to prevent any over-charging from the Yatris.
According to him, every possible effort is being made by civil and police officers on duty to see that no unregistered Yatri is allowed to proceed towards the holy cave. “We yet again appeal to the Yatris not to embark on the Yatra without securing a valid registration as this may cause inconvenience not only to themselves but also to the other yatris, besides creating an avoidable strain on the smooth management of the yatra. For the benefit of tourists, daily arriving in the state, the shrine board has set up spot registration counters at Vaishnavi Dham, Jammu, Yatri Niwas, Jammu, TRC, Jammu, TRC Srinagar and close by to the Nunwan and Baltal Base camps,” the spokesman added.
Expressing sadness over the e deaths of 13 pilgrims in the past five days, the spokesman again urged the yatris to take adequate precautions while embarking on the pilgrimage. He cautioned the Yatris to follow the health advisories issued by the Shrine Board, in their own interest. “We advise the Yatris to immediately contact the nearest medical camps, in case they felt uneasy, to obtain timely medical attention. For this purpose, a large number of doctors and medical staff have been posted in the Yatra area, equipped with more than 1000 Oxygen cylinders, for the benefit of the pilgrims,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, governor N N Vohra, who is also the chairman of SASB, presided over a high level Amarnath Yatra related meeting here last evening. On the directions of governor, chief executive officer of SASB, Navin Choudhary did visit the base camps, holy cave and other places on yatra route. On his return he briefed the government regarding arrangements and other related issues.