The Hindu : Annual Amarnath Yatra begins from July 12

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 30, 2003

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Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

Annual Amarnath Yatra begins from July 12

SRINAGAR MAY 29. With improvement in the overall situation following peace process initiated by India and Pakistan, an estimated 1,50,000 pilgrims will have the `darshan' of self-made holy ice lingam during the month-long Amarnath Yatra, which will commence from July 12.

The pilgrimage will conclude after 32 days on August 12, 2003 on the eve of Rakhsha Bhandan Day, an official spokesman said.

He said as many as 3,500 pilgrims will have darshan of Shiv Lingam in holy cave daily, out of which 2,700 will travel via Pahalgam and 800 pilgrims will be allowed via Baltal hill track.

He said this information was given at a high-level officers meeting today with Kashmir Divisional Commissioner, Parvez Dewan in chair.

Director General Tourism Mohammad Ashraf, Deputy Commissioners and SSPs of Anantnag and Srinagar districts, Additional Chief Executive officer of Amarnath Shrine Board and other concerned divisional heads attended the meeting.

It was decided in the meeting that pilgrims the travelling towards Amarnath would be registered and tents would be set up at every important point en route. Besides, basic facilities such as drinking water, diesel generator sets, adequate food and firewood will be made available for the pilgrims. Medical camps would also be installed on the way, besides mini-hospitals at base camps Nunwan, Pahalgam and Baltal.

It was decided that the base camps at Nunwan and Baltal would be made functional from July 5 and would continue till the pilgrimage is over.

The BSNL would also install telephone booths at Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Punchtarni, Amarnath, Baltal, Sonamarg and Manigam to facilitate the devotees.

Besides, Police Telecommunication department would also provide wireless facilities for co-ordination all along the hill track.

The Animal Husbandry department would start registration of ponies at Chandanwari and Baltal from July 1.

It was also decided that the rates for hiring ponies and charges for porters and `dandies' would be enhanced by 10 per cent and the revised rate schedule would be notified shortly by the Tourism department.

The other decisions taken in the meeting, include ban on use of polythene bags, plastic crockery and plastic tents to check pollution and to sustain better hygiene at all stages of the pilgrimage. -- UNI

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Annual Amarnath Yatra begins from July 12