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| 2-month yatra to begin on June 30 | | SASB announces Amarnath yatra schedule,CEO spells out arrangements with Rs 4 Cr budget | |
JAMMU, APRIL 11
This year’s Shri Amarnathji Yatra in Kashmir will commence on Vrat Purnima simultaneously via Baltal and Pahalgham, subject to weather, from June 30 and conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) falling on August 28.
Announcing this at a media conference here this morning, the Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), Dr Arun Kumar said that elaborate arrangements are being made for the 2-month yatra. ‘A reccee of the snow-clad route has been conducted by a party of local workers and the restoration work will start soon after the snows melt’, he added.
Dr Kumar hoped that the yatra may once again touch the 4 lakh figure, which has by and large been recorded consecutively during the past three years and said that matching infrastructural facilities are being put in place to meet the requirements. He, however, urged the people not to venture for the pilgrimage on difficult and rugged terrain before the yatra commences officially. ‘Safety of pilgrims is our prime concern’, he said, adding that without proper security, track clearance and infrastructure it would be risky to embark on the pilgrimage.
The CEO spelled out the priorities of SASB which inter alia include ensuring pollution free environment, making adequate lodging arrangements with modern facilities of toilets, pure drinking water, electricity, supply of essentials etc at a total outlay of Rs 4 crores. For undertaking voluntary Langer facilities, 124 socio-religious organisations are being registered for ensuring the service in a phased manner during the entire duration of the yatra and 50 have already been given the go ahead. ‘We appreciate the cooperation and response of Langer operators’, Dr Kumar said and added that 4300 tents and 720 shops of local people are also planned to be put up on the entire route.
‘Maintaining of ecology and environment is our prime concern’, he said, adding that while more and more local people would be involved with the pilgrimage, all are required to help with the preservation of the environment. He said the yatra is going to give a big boost to the local economy in particular and tourism in Kashmir in general.
The State Government is supplementing the efforts in maintaining various services. While the Power Development Department will provide electricity in all the camps, Langars would supplement their own needs. The Shrine Board is pressing into service a 40 KVA generator at Baltal and also examining the feasibility of commissioning a micro hydro scheme for the Holy Cave at an estimated cost of Rs 1.14 crore. This includes transmission line, invertors and geysers for dump load.
Dr Kumar said that accommodation is being arranged for 1400 yatris in all camps with toilet, hot water and electricity. For this purpose the Boad is raising 233 prefabricated single and double bed cottages at Baltal and other sites. In addition 45 rest shelters enroute the cave shrine shall be erected. In all 2271 prefabricated and environmental friendly toilets and bathrooms are being raised – 754 in Baltal, 308 at Panjtarni, 344 at Sheshnag, 239 at Nunwan in Pahalgam, 116 in Chandanwari and 233 at the Holy Cave besides other locations. Every halting camp will have toilet and bathing facilities for 18000 pilgrims in all while 74 points with gas geysers and stands are being put in place for provision of hot water.
Like previous years, helicopter services are being operated this year also mainly from Baltal. The Aviation companies will provide insurance cover of Rs 7.50 lakhs for an adult and Rs 3.75 lakhs for a child or infant. The air tarrif has further been reduced from Rs 7500 to Rs 5890 to and fro from Baltal to Holy Cave and from Rs 20000 to Rs 18900 from Srinagar to the Holy Cave and back.
The Board is engaging local parties for house keeping and collection of revenue.The CEO lauded the efforts of various agencies in conducting an incident-free Yatra, saying that such a mechanism during the past four consecutive years has worked very well. He was all praise for the people of Kashmir particularly those associated with the Yatra for their cooperation and treatment to the visiting pilgrims and hoped this will be maintained in true spirit of Kashmiri hospitality. He also complimented the group of gujjars who, led by Mr Qallander, trekked 39 kilometers from Gagangheer, 11 kilometers ahead of Sonamarg and reached the Holy Cave Shrine braving snowy mountains on March 27, 2007.
Dr Kumar said the special feature of this year’s yatra will be Ramkatha by the world famous Murari Bapu and his 250 disciples in the periphery of the Holy Cave.
Development Commissioner, SASB Mr I C Jandial and Director Public Relations, SASB, Mr Madan Mantoo were also present on the occasion.
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