Amarnath yatra from tomorrow, NDRF, SDRF, sharp shooter deployed !!! SRINAGAR : Trained personnel from National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF), State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF) and other agencies have taken position to meet any natural calamity threat to Amarnath pilgrimage, commencing from Friday in south Kashmir Himlayas. Keeping in view the recent tragedy during Chardam pilgrimage in Uttrakhand, the authorities have taken all precautionary measures to meet any eventuality, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) Naveen Kumar Choudhary said. He said besides NDRF and SDRF, trained personnel from ITBP and state personnel would be deployed on both Baltal and Pahalgm routes to assist the yatris, undertaking the pilgrimage to Holy Cave shrine, situated at 3952 metres. These personnel have already been deployed at all places which are being considered tough, he said adding that they will remain deployed till the last yatri returns to base camp on the last day of the 55-day pilgrimage. Since the pilgrims have to pass Pisso top (3377 mtrs), Sheshnag (3352 mtrs) Poshpathri (4114 mtrs), Mahaguns (4276 mtrs) and Panjterni (3656 mtrs) before reaching to cave shrine, the SASB has decided not to allow children below the age of 13 years and elders above the age of 75 years to undertake the yatra from this year. Mr Choudhary said only 15000 yatris will be allowed to perform the darshan of self made Holy Ice-Shivlingam in the shrine daily. This, he said, will help to avoid any rush on halting stations and cave shrine. He said the SASB has decided to introduce ‘Darshan Slip’ to yatris to check repeated darshan by yatris, which was causing rush near the shrine. The CEO said every yatri, with valid yatra permit, will be provided the Darshan Slip before starting the journey which will be collected from him or her near the shrine. The slip will be valid for only one Darshan of the Shivlingam, Mr Choudhary said adding this will help to check repeated darshan by yatris. He said this time no unregistered yatri will be allowed to proceed beyond gates set up on both routes before the start of the foot journey. Mr Choudhary made it clear that no yatri will be allowed to start the journey towards the shrine after 1100 hrs. “We do not want any pilgrim to face any problem if he or she will be allowed after the time fixed for departure,” he said, adding that there is possibility that a yatri, who leaves after the fixed deadline, will be caught in darkness. About the helicopter service, he said each day about 1200 to 1400 yatris will be taken to shrine and back from Baltal and Pahalagam helipads. This time the yatris were able to book their seats online. However, he said, “keeping in view that some elderly people and disabled would not have been able to get the tickets online, we have reserved 300 to 400 seats everyday to accommodate such persons from Baltal and Pahalgam.” However, since the helicopters drop the yatris at Panjterni, the pilgrims had to cover 6 km distance on foot to reach the cave shrine, he said. This process is going on for the last three years. He said before introducing this system, the helicopters were dropping yatris near the shrine, which was very risky as large number of pilgrims always remained present in the area. There was also environment concern as temperature would increase due to helicopter sorties with the result Shivlingam was also melting early. He advised yatris to join the convoy from base camp Jammu even if they are travelling in their own vehicles. “We have made enough arrangement for transportation of pilgrims from Jammu to Baltal and Pahalgam base camps,” Mr Choudhary said. Mr Choudhary said high fat food items have been banned during the pilgrimage. He said SASB has taken this decision keeping in view the health of the yatris, which could be affected by consumption of such food. “All langar walls have been directed to provide food to yatris permitted by the board only.” He said the banned food included all fried food items, intoxicants and sweetmeats. However, the yatris were allowed to take home-made food items provided they met desired standards set by the shrine board, he added. Mr Choudhary informed that for the convenience of the pilgrims telecom department, government of India, had erected special towers at Baltal, Domel, Brarimarg, Holy Cave, Panjtarni, Sheshnag and Chandanwari to ensure that telecom connectivity is available to the Yatris. For all those Yatris who do not possess BSNL connections and those who possess mobiles with pre-paid cards which do not work in Jammu and Kashmir, the Telecom Department has given permission to private operators, in addition to BSNL, to provide the interested Yatris pre-paid Sim Cards with a validity of four days. This arrangement has materialised after the Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) and Governor of the state N N Vohra had taken up the matter with the Union Communication Ministry. Mr Choudhary, said that such Sim Cards will be made available only to the registered Yatris at special counters being set up at the Nunwan and Baltal Yatra Base Camps. These cards will be operative only for four days, to cover the pilgrims journey to the Shrine, from either route, and will automatically deactivate thereafter. He further informed that all Yatris who are interested in obtaining the pre-paid connection must produce the counterfoil of the Yatra Registration Slip as well as proof of identity, address and UID card at the special counters.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 10:39:07 +0000
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