38 specially-trained rescue teams to be deployed for Yatra
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, June 24: With 52 days long Amarnath Ji yatra starting on June 29, the first batch of pilgrims to the Himalayan cave situated at an altitude of 3888 meters in South Kashmir district of Anantnag will be flagged off from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here on June 28 morning.
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As per official sources, till date about 3.5 lakh pilgrims from across the country have registered themselves for the annual pilgrimage in different bank branches of J&K Bank, State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Yes Bank. The officials are engaged in war footing arrangements for yatra from both traditional Nunwan Pahalgam and shortest Baltal track to holy cave.
Besides, tight security measures being undertaken for the safety of the pilgrims visiting the holy cave during this year’s pilgrimage, sources said 38 Mountain Rescue Teams of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, SDRF, NDRF, BSF and the CRPF will be deployed this year for Amarnath Yatra for rescue operations.
Sources said out of 3.50 lakh pilgrims, J&K Bank has alone registered 64,771 since the online registration was opened on April 19 this year.
Sources said the Langar people have reached their respective places in yatra area and they are giving final shape to installation of Langars along both Baltal and Pahalgam-Chandanwari track.
Sources said 40 Langars will be installed from Baltal to Domel on the track this year while total 125 Langars are being set up on both the tracks up to holy cave including nine Langars at Pahalgam and six at Chandanwari.
About 7000 people including Sevadars will be engaged in these Langars for service of pilgrims. Besides, the Ponywallas and other service providers from different parts of J&K have also started reaching the yatra area, sources said.
To oversee the arrangements, Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) is visiting Baltal tomorrow to oversee the arrangements for the annual yatra, sources said.
The 52-day pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath will commence from the twin tracks — the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the 14-kilometre shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal — on June 29.
More than 4.5 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance to the natural ice Shiva Lingam formation inside the cave shrine last year.
Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Vijay Kumar on Monday conducted a comprehensive review meeting with the Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) of the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Border Security Force (BSF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), sources said.
They said the MRTs — consisting of 13 teams from the police, 11 from the SDRF, eight from the NDRF, four from the BSF and two from the CRPF — will be deployed at critical spots on the twin routes for the pilgrims’ safety.
The meeting focused on preparations for the upcoming yatra, a significant annual pilgrimage that draws lakhs of devotees, the official said.
Kumar, who also holds charge of the Armed Police and is Commandant General of the SDRF, Civil Defence and Home Guards, briefed the teams on their specific duties, emphasising the importance of ensuring the pilgrims’ safety and wellbeing, the official said.
He assessed the current state of equipment with each team and made specific recommendations for necessary upgrades and the proper utilisation of resources.
The senior officer paid special attention to the waterproofing of the clothing of the MRTs, stressing that the fitness and proper gear of rescuers is imperative for effective rescue operations, the sources said.
Additionally, Kumar reviewed the training status of the teams, taking stock of the training conducted throughout the year.
He extolled the teams to utilise their professional skills according to their training and emphasised that well-rehearsed manoeuvres are crucial in disaster situations where panic can often take hold.
Kumar also made specific comments to boost the morale of the security forces, encouraging them to see their rescue operations as a revered duty that holds spiritual significance, the official said.
The senior officer also conveyed to the teams that their service is not only a critical responsibility but a noble act of assisting pilgrims on their sacred journey.
Reviewing the deployment pattern of the MRTs, Kumar made specific suggestions regarding the inclusion of some more locations marked as sensitive, according to a recent review of the route.
He also sensitised the teams on recent Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) incidents in different States and highlighted the challenges climate change brings, especially to the work spectrum of the disaster response forces, the official said.
Kumar urged all teams to approach their duties with dedication and respect, as their efforts are integral to the success and sanctity of the pilgrimage.
He concluded the review meeting by reiterating the importance of preparedness, coordination and the spiritual value of their service, the official said.
It may be recalled that SASB, however, has tamed the nallah near holy cave which caused havoc due to flash floods during 2022 pilgrimage. The nallah has been given protection wall from both sides besides its bed was deepened to allow the flow of flood water in Amravati river.
In addition to this no camps will be allowed to be set up near the vulnerable places prone to floods and shooting stones for the safety of pilgrims as well as service providers.
Meanwhile, Rajan Gupta general secretary, Shri Amarnath Baba Langar Organisation (SABLO) has appealed the administration as well as SASB officials to render all cooperation to the Langar people and Sevadars who are putting their lives in grave risk and come for providing service to pilgrims during the annual pilgrimage every year from different parts of the country. The officials should have a sympathetic approach towards Langar providers and sewadars for smooth conduct of the yatra, he added.
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