Srinagar, Jul 4: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Saturday said that more than 26,000 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy Amarnath cave shrine during the first two days.
Addressing a joint press conference with IGP Kashmir V.K. Birdi, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, said the Yatra, which commenced on July 3 through the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal, has been witnessing a smooth flow of pilgrims amid elaborate arrangements put in place by the administration and the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board.
The Divisional Commissioner urged devotees to undertake the pilgrimage strictly according to their allotted registration dates to ensure seamless management and avoid overcrowding.
Div Com Garg said comprehensive facilities, including accommodation, healthcare, drinking water, sanitation, rest shelters, disaster management teams, emergency response services and adequate lighting along the Yatra tracks, have been put in place to ensure a safe, comfortable and hassle-free pilgrimage for devotees.
He said the administration is strictly adhering to the Supreme Court-mandated carrying capacity for the pilgrimage. “Online registration for the Yatra began on April 15 and registered pilgrims are being facilitated after completing all mandatory formalities,” he said.
The Divisional Commissioner, said that a number of devotees have arrived in Jammu and Kashmir without prior registration, resulting in inconvenience for both pilgrims and the authorities.
He urged such pilgrims to wait for their turn, reiterating that only those holding valid registration for their allotted date will be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage. Garg also clarified that ‘the Tatkal quota’ is limited and depends on vacancies created by registered pilgrims who fail to report.
Appealing to devotees who have reached Jammu and Kashmir ahead of their scheduled dates, Garg said they should undertake the pilgrimage only on the dates mentioned in their registration slips to facilitate smooth movement and effective crowd management.
He also advised pilgrims planning to undertake the Yatra in the coming days to complete the online registration process well in advance to avoid inconvenience.
Div Com Garg said the administration, in close coordination with the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, security agencies and other stakeholder departments, is making every possible effort to ensure that the pilgrimage remains safe, smooth and incident-free.
Pertinently, Amarnath Yatra commenced on July 3 amid multi-tier security arrangements across Jammu and Kashmir. Pilgrims are undertaking the pilgrimage through the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route and the shorter 14-km Baltal route in South and Central Kashmir respectively. (KNO)
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