JAMMU, Mar 12: The Amarnath yatra will commence on July 3 and conclude on August
9 with Raksha Bandhan, it has been announced by the shrine board.
The pilgrims can take the Pahalgam route (Anantnag district) or the Baltal
route (Ganderbal district). The yatra will start simultaneously for both the
routes.
The registration dates for the annual pilgrimage are yet to be announced.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the Assembly that security
and accommodation arrangements for the pilgrims will be increased across the
Union Territory.
Located at 3,880 metres high, the holy cave shrine of Amarnath is in south
Kashmir.
The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) meeting was held at the Raj Bhavan
on March 5.
The following initiatives are under consideration for a smooth pilgrimage:
Raise in accommodation capacity, additional travel facilities in Jammu, Srinagar,
Baltal, Pahalgam, Nunwan and Pantha Chowk, Introduction of RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification) cards and on-the-spot registration at Naugam and Katra railway
stations, insurance coverage for pilgrims, online services, disaster preparedness,
track widening, medical facilities, security surveillance, weather forecasting,
prepaid digital payment system for hiring services such as ponies and porters.
