The annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra is set to begin next month. The pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave located in the upper reaches of the Himalayas is scheduled to begin on June 30 and culminate on August 11.
Last year, the Yatra came to an abrupt end after an unfortunate incident of cloud burst. The pilgrimage had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In 2019 also, the yatra was cut short as the government emptied the Valley of pilgrims and tourists before revocation of Article 370 on August 5 amid security and communication clampdown.
Besides security arrangements, the government, on a daily basis, has been announcing one after other arrangements for smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. It has augmented the health infrastructure to meet any exigency.
Last week, the Lieutenant Governor, who is also chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, took on spot appraisal of the arrangements put in place for healthcare, electricity, communication, water supply and sanitation, weather forecasting, disaster management, security grid and all other basic necessities for the pilgrims.
He directed the officials to ensure Yatra Base Camp has adequate number of doctors, staff, equipment, medicines and oxygen cylinders. BRO was instructed to mobilize resources and finish all works before commencement of Yatra.
Since Yatra is in difficult terrain at an altitude where the oxygen levels are low, healthcare facilities, care around the clock must be ensured, the Lt Governor right observed.
While the government is duty bound to ensure all facilities to the pilgrims, it is incumbent upon it also to ensure that environmental concerns are taken care of in a scientific manner. The SASB has also decided to ban junk and unhealthy food, including halwa puri, samosas, jalebi, gulab jamun, etc. this year.
While the SASB is making better arrangements along with the local administration on various counts for the pilgrims intending to undertake the pilgrimage, it has also made a provision of online darshan for those who cannot physically undertake the yatra. While Yatra will commence on July 1 for a duration of over two months through Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Anantnag district, it is imperative that the decisions concerning wellbeing of the pilgrims as well as those taken to address environmental concerns are adhered in letter and spirit and must not be restricted to papers only.