Weather vagaries notwithstanding, Amarnath yatra crossed one lakh mark in the last 12 days of pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) Umang Narula said 1,04,018 pilgrims performed darshan at the holy cave shrine since the start of yatra on June 28. On the 12th day of the yatra on Monday, 9,606 pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine.
"During the initial 11 days of the yatra, the movement of pilgrims from Jammu to Kashmir Valley was suspended on three occasions due to rains and slippery track conditions on both the yatra routes and landslides between Railpathri and Brarimarg. On one occasion, the movement of yatris was stopped from Jammu to the base camp of Baltal and Nunwan because of security concerns.
Keeping in view the safety of the yatris, Shri Amarnathji Yatra remained totally suspended on three occasions –June 30, July 4 and 5 from both Baltal as well as Pahalgam routes. The yatra remained suspended twice from Baltal route on June 29, and July 6 because of landslides and slippery tracks caused by incessant rainfall.
CEO informed that nine MRTs (mountain rescue teams) deployed on various stretches of the track are playing a crucial role in assisting the safe movement of yatris in the areas vulnerable to landslides, particularly between Brarimarg and Railpathri. "SMS messages to the registered yatris are being sent to make them aware about the arduous nature of yatra," said Narula.
Traffic Flow
The movement of pilgrims from Jammu to Kashmir Valley was suspended on three occasions due to rains and slippery track conditions on both the pilgrim routes.
