As many as 9571 Amarnath pilgrims left from Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal-Sonamarg base camps of the valley to Holy Amarnath Cave for having darshan of the Shiv lingam.
According to sources, 4210 pilgrims comprising on 3176 male ,464 female,152 children and 237 Sadhus left for Holy Amar Nath Cave for darshan from Nunwan base camp-Phalgam while 5361 pilgrim left from Baltal base camp to Holy Amarnath Cave for darshan.
As such 38366 yatries had darshan of Shiv lingam so far.
The Yatries have expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the Government for ensuring hassle free yatra.
All aspects of the Yatra were discussed today morning in a review meeting taken by the Governor, N. N. Vohra, who is also the Chairman of the Amarnathji ne Board. The meeting was attended by the Chief Executive Officer, R. K. Goyal, the Additional Chief Executive Officer, Saugat Biswas and all concerned officers. It was noted that, for the first time since the establishment of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer of the Board, R. K. Goyal, is able to keep contact throughout the day with the Board’s officers in charge of the various Camps. This has become possible as the Board has acquired Digital Satellite Phones which have been installed in the crucial camps at Sheshnag, Panjtarni and the Holy Cave.
The CEO informed the Governor that the BSNL has since provided cellular phone connectivity at Baltal and Chandanwari and the same is also expected to be commissioned at Holy Cave today. This facility, provided for the first time, shall enable the Yatris to maintain telephonic contact with their families. The telecommunication arrangements are one of the several new initiatives taken by the Chairman this year.
Goyal further apprised the Governor that dustbins have been placed at crucial points in all the Camps to enable the collection of garbage, which is then transported to the designated dumps. The CEO further reported that the Sewage Treatment Plants at Baltal and Nunwan Base Camps, which have been technologically upgraded this year, have been operating satisfactorily, with the assistance of qualified personnel. Also, easy to read pamphlets are being distributed to the Yatris at the Base Camps, with a view to generating greater awareness about the need for maintaining cleanliness and environmental protection throughout the Yatra area.