Tight security in place for Amarnath Yatra, pilgrims advised to move in convoys | India News

SRINAGAR: Acknowledging a dip in registrations for Amarnath Yatra following the Pahalgam terror assault, Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha on Thursday assured full security for the yatra, which is ready to start on July 3, and appealed to devotees to take part in massive numbers.At a press convention at Raj Bhawan, Sinha mentioned there had been a ten.19% decline in pilgrim registrations in contrast to final 12 months, attributing the drop to the Pahalgam bloodbath. He mentioned earlier than the assault, the tempo of registration was encouraging, with round 2.36 lakh pilgrims signing up for the yatra, which concludes on Aug 9.The LG mentioned the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) had launched a re-verification programme for pilgrims who had registered earlier than the April 22 Pahalgam assault. “So far 85,000 pilgrims have reconfirmed their registration after consultation with SASB,” he mentioned, and hoped the numbers would go up in the approaching days.Sinha unveiled the security plan, reassuring devotees about security, and likewise gave the main points of the upgraded infrastructure alongside the routes to guarantee a clean and secure pilgrimage.He mentioned a multi-layered security grid had been put in place, with elevated deployment of the Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and J&Ok Police. “Integrated command and control centres have been set up, and vulnerable spots have been identified for focused security measures,” he mentioned. He advised the pilgrims to move in the designated convoys for security causes. Even these coming in their very own autos had been advised to move in convoys, he maintained.Several new initiatives had been launched, together with a complete insurance coverage scheme masking not simply the yatris, but additionally ponywallas and different service suppliers, the LG mentioned. However, helicopter service had been suspended this 12 months due to current chopper accidents and security issues, he revealed. He added that this is able to not have an effect on the general stream of the yatra as solely a small share of pilgrims used the helicopter service.Sinha mentioned SASB had developed a number of pilgrim-centric facilities over the previous two years, together with widening of each the yatra routes to round 12ft alongside most stretches. Safer yatra tracks have been ready with stronger security handrails all alongside the Baltal monitor and over 20 km on weak stretches on the Pahalgam monitor. He mentioned the tracks and camps would have energy connectivity until the holy cave and from there to Panjtarni.There can be enhanced lodging for pilgrims at SASB’s Yatri Niwas complexes at Baltal (800), Nunwan (900) and Pantha chowk (1000). “Digital pre-paid systems for hiring of various services like pony, pithu and palki will be available for pilgrims,” he added.At the holy cave, the wood darshan platform has been changed with a stainless-steel platform with wooden flooring. “Now, pilgrims would be able to have darshans simultaneously in four rows. This shall facilitate better and hassle-free darshans,” he added.Responding to a question whether or not he’ll enable the elected govt to have a say in the yatra’s administrative affairs, the LG mentioned he could be holding a separate assembly with chief minister Omar Abdullah to focus on the matter.He mentioned folks of Kashmir had at all times welcomed Amarnath yatris with heat and unparalleled hospitality. “There is no alternative to the Kashmiri spirit of welcome. Let us continue this tradition and ensure the yatra is safe, peaceful and successful for all,” he added.