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The Army has also established helicopter pads at multiple locations for medical emergencies and other air transportation requirements. (photo: News18)
More than three people have already signed up for the flight as of Wednesday. The number of registrations to date, is 10 percent more than last year
This year’s Amarnath Yatra started from Jammu on Wednesday, with the first batch of pilgrims starting their journeys on Friday amid multiple layers of security.
The first batch of more than 3,400 pilgrims left for the dual camps in Kashmir to perform the Hajj.
What is Amarnath Yatra?
The Amarnath Yatra is a pilgrimage on the twin paths of the traditional 48 km long Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
The annual pilgrimage, considered sacred in Hinduism, takes place at a sacred cave-shrine 3,880 meters high in Amarnath in southern Kashmir amid the Himalayas.
Amarnath is considered one of the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva.
The Yatra takes places in the Shravan month of the Hindu calendar and this is the only time the caves are accessible to the general public. The yatra will continue until August 31 of this year.
What is the secret of the significance of the Amarnath Yatra for this year?
This year the yatra will last for 62 days, which is the longest ever so far.
This year’s yatra is significant as it is expected to witness more than 6 lakh pilgrims. More than three people have already signed up for the flight as of Wednesday. The shrine council said the number of registrations so far is 10 percent more than last year.
Increased security measures this year
As the terrain of the yatra is arduous, mishaps are common during the trek.
A big change this year is that the security teams stationed in the Cave Shrine have received mountain warfare training. The Central Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was replaced by mountain warfare-trained personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The CRPF will now be located just below the cave shrine staircase, even with ITBP and Border Security Force (BSF) guarding about a half-dozen camps that were earlier guarded by the CRPF, the nation’s leading Homeland Security force.
Senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force, Frontier Police Force, Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) reviewed the security arrangements at the sacred cave as well as along the traditional route to the shrine.
The use of drones, apart from the traditional methods of securing yatra routes, has been inculcated along with the use of search and rescue dogs in all places, including near a cave shrine, for quick response in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
Making roads safer
To make the Hajj safer, both routes have been improved this year. The yatra paths have been widened and handrails have been installed for better safety.
Apart from that, at the vulnerable points of the journey, helmets were kept so that the pilgrims could protect themselves from launching stones and landslides during heavy rain.
Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, CEO of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), said mountain rescue teams have been deployed on the way of the cave shrine for quick evacuation in case of emergency.
To avoid a situation like last year’s flash flood – which claimed 15 lives – no devotee will be allowed to stay near the cave shrine during the night.
More facilities at yatra this year
There is a state-of-the-art temporary hospital, built by DRDO at Chandanwari, which will assist with round-the-clock healthcare facilities for the pilgrims. Medical officials will maintain the health facilities 24/7.
Furthermore, there will be telecom services available on the entire route, as OFC cables have been laid on both routes by the service providers. This is to ensure that internet and communication facilities are available at all times.
No fewer than 5,100 separate yatra toilets have been constructed this year at the joint initiative of the Shrine Council, the Rural Development Department, several municipal bodies, and development authorities.
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