Neeraj Rohmetra
Jammu, May 17: Nearly 1.3 lakh yatris have registered at different centres, across the country for pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Amarnath, which is slated to start on June 28 this year.
Keen to consolidate on the experiences gained last year in view of guidelines issued by the Apex Court, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has put in place a multi-pronged strategy for smooth conduct of the pilgrimage this year.
Official sources stated that advance teams of Gujjars, which trek through Baltal Himalayas had also been deputed towards the cave to bring latest picture and information of snowfall along the route. “Though presently, several areas along the pilgrimage track had been covered with thick blanket of snow, but the situation is likely to change before the onset of yatra, which starts on June 28, ” sources said adding, “the SASB officials would soon be conducting an aerial recce of the entire track for better assessment of the situation”.
Over the status of intending pilgrims, sources commented, “though the number of registered devotees is slightly on the lower side in comparison with Yatra, 2013, previous trends indicated that the numbers are likely to go up in the coming months”.
Confirming to EXCELSIOR that registration was going on at all the nodal agencies in full swing, CEO SASB, Rakesh Kumar Gupta said, “all the teams are working in coordinated manner to ensure the required infrastructure is well in place before the onset of Yatra”, adding, “the pilgrims are being registered across the country after completion of all formalities, including submission of Medical Certificate. So far, around 1.3 lakh yatris have been registered for the pilgrimage ever since the process was started in March 1, this year”.
“The Government officials would effectively enforce the regulatory mechanisms and ensure that only those yatris, who possessed valid permits, were allowed to undertake the yatra on the date and by the route, for which they had procured prior registration”, he said adding, “efforts would be made to ensure rapid and unhindered movement of validly registered yatris during the pilgrimage”.
Determined to streamline the yatra further, the CEO said, “like last year no unregistered yatris would be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage. No pilgrim would be registered beyond the twin capital cities — Jammu and Srinagar”, adding, “pilgrims, who enter the State without submitting the mandatory details can get themselves registered at the Centres and complete all the formalities including the submission of Medical certificates from designated doctor”.
Regarding the Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) for registration, Mr Gupta said, “the authorised Doctors/ Medical Institutes in various States and UT are issuing the prescribed certificate to intending yatris, thereby ensuring that only medically fit devotees proceed with registration process”. The Board has also imposed restriction of persons below the age of 13 or above the age of 75 years and women with six weeks pregnancy are also not being allowed to undertake the arduous Yatra. It is due to this mandatory CHC that the Board has been able to bring down the mortality rate down, which was quite high during 2011 and 2012 pilgrimage.
“Board official are also keenly monitoring the weather conditions as several areas on Baltal and higher reaches have experienced heavy snowfall, thereby causing some damage to the existing infrastructure”, sources said.
Sources said that more than six lakh devotes are likely to be registered with SASB for the pilgrimage, which is beginning on June 28 and concluding on August 10 with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. “Around 15,000 pilgrims would be registered for the 2014 Yatra per day from the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal (7500 from each route)”, sources said.
Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag Saugat Biswas and Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal , Sarmad Hafeez when contacted said, “the Departments associated with the Yatra had geared up their activities for smooth conduct of Yatra”.
Asked about weather conditions in higher reaches of Baltal, Mr Hafeez said that the certain areas have received heavy snowfall and therefore some more time will be required for road clearance.
Director Indian Meteorological Department, Mr Sonam Lotus while commenting on the weather conditions said, “there was heavy snowfall in March and April this year. But, with the onset of Spring season, we hope the snow will melt down soon. We have also installed Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) at Chandanwari and Pahalgam for providing real-time data about weather conditions”.
“Registration process for Yatra, 2014 has started on March 1 and the process is being done at 300 branches of Punjab National Bank (PNB), 87 branches of J&K Bank and 33 branches of Axis Bank”, said President of J&K Bank, M S Wani.
Pertinently, The Governor, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board on May 8 had chaired a high level meeting at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar to review all security related arrangements for Amarnath Yatra-2014, starting simultaneously from shortest Baltal and traditional Chandanwari routes in Kashmir. Detailed discussions were held regarding the issues relating to general security environment in the State, preparedness for meeting any unforeseen situation arising in the yatra area.
The CEO SASB would also arrange special pooja on the day of Jyesth Purnima, which falls on June 13 this year.
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