SRINAGAR:Fresh batches of pilgrims today left Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for the holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, where over 3 lakh yatris had paid obeisance since the commencement of the 59-day-long pilgrimage from July 2.
Weather is pleasant and the yatra is going on smoothly from both shortest Baltal and traditional Pahalgam tracks, a Yatra Control Room (YCR) official said.
He said 4,746 yatris had paid obeisance at the cave shrine yesterday. With this, a total of 3,00,321 pilgrims had darshan of the self made Ice-Shivlingam in the cave shrine. Majority of the pilgrims had since returned to their homes.
The official said a fresh batch of yatris, including women, children and sadhus, left Baltal base camp for the cave shrine early this morning. The yatris had arrived at base camp from Sumbal and Manigam transit camps after Sonmarg-Baltal road reopened after remaining closed for two days due to landslides following cloudburst near Fish Pond.
He said a fresh batch of pilgrims also left Nunwan Pahalgam base camp early this morning for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on traditional route. Similarly, pilgrims, who had night halt at Chandanwari and other halting station, have also started their foot journey towards the cave shrine.
Pilgrims who had night halt near the cave shrine after darshan yesterday, have also started their return journey to Baltal base camp. He said yatris, who are undertaking the pilgrimage through Pahalgam route also prefer to return via Baltal shortest track.
An official spokesperson said Governor N N Vohra, who is also chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) reviewed the status of the yatra. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the board P K Tripathi informed the Governor that Sonamarg-Baltal road, which remained blocked near the Fish Pond Point for Saturday and Sunday, was cleared for traffic yesterday and vehicles are now plying from both sides. For expediting full restoration of the parking area as well as the catch-water drain on hillside above Baltal Base Camp, three JCBs have been deployed.
The deepening of drain at the breached portions and removal of filled debris from the nallah section is being carried out on priority basis. Four people were killed and about a dozen others were injured due to cloudburst at Baltal base camp on Friday last week. Several dozen vehicles, shops and tents were also damaged in the cloud burst.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is also continuing its efforts to further strengthen the road to ensure that the pilgrims do not face any difficulty in movement to reach Baltal Base Camp. The Governor reiterated his earlier directions to CEO to closely monitor the Yatra, ensure effective coordination with all the agencies involved in the conduct of pilgrimage and ensure the safety and security of the Yatris. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel