Amarnath Yatra 2018 Preparations: Annual Pilgrimage to Commence From June 28, Security Arrangements in Full Swing
In a bid to help pilgrims, a 24X7 helpline number 1364 will start two days before the yatra. Reports inform that CCTV cameras, bulletproof bunkers, dog squads and quick reaction teams will be on duty on the yatra route while satellites are likely to track the movement of pilgrims.
Jammu, June 18: Preparations are underway in full swing for the annual Amarnath Yatra 2018, which is scheduled to start from June 28 and will last till August 26. Ahead of the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine, Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board reviewed all issues related to restoration of tracks on both the routes to the Amarnath shrine. Vohra also reviewed the installation of safety railings at various stretches of the pilgrimage route.
The government on Sunday has said that it wants to ensure that the upcoming Amarnath Yatra starting June 28 is conducted peacefully. In a bid to help pilgrims, a 24X7 helpline number 1364 will start two days before the yatra. Reports inform that CCTV cameras, bulletproof bunkers, dog squads and quick reaction teams will be on duty on the yatra route while satellites are likely to track the movement of pilgrims.
Other facilities like drinking water, toilets, clean halls for stay, inquiry counters, transport, communication and banking facilities have been set up at the Yatri Niwas in Jammu. Nearly 70 medical camps will be set up on the route.
According to a report by PTI, the principal secretary to the governor and the chief executive officer of the shrine board, Umang Narula informed that so far 1,91,073 pilgrims have got advance registration from designated banks and under the group registration facility and registration facility for pilgrims coming from abroad. Meanwhile, the Army, CRPF and the State police have started reaching the areas of upper yatra camps.
Narula informed Vohra that elaborate arrangements have been made by the divisional administration of Kashmir for dealing with any disaster. In a bid to maintain cleanliness, 52 stainless steel water storage tanks or water dispensers have been installed at the pilgrimage camps and along the route to the shrine. This will help discourage use of plastic bottles and in turn, will keep the route clean.
Taking into consideration the attack on Amarnath pilgrims in 2017, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh decided to improve security for the pilgrimage during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on June 7-8. The government has asked to step up security during the Amarnath Yatra in which over three lakh pilgrims are expected to take part amid apprehensions of possible terror attacks.
On the directive of the Union Home Ministry, at least 238 companies -- nearly 24,000 personnel -- of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed on the Amarnath Yatra route. According to a report by IANS, the CRPF will be assisted by over 25,000 personnel of Army, Border Security Force (BSF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police, which have already been stationed at specific locations falling on the yatra route for the Hindu shrine.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 18, 2018 04:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).