Srinagar, Jul 27: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Monday said the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra continues to be conducted strictly in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with daily decisions on the pilgrimage being taken after assessing weather forecasts, track conditions and safety parameters.
He informed that over 4.22 lakh pilgrims had paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine of Baba Barfani till 1 pm on Monday, describing the pilgrimage as smooth and well-managed despite recent weather-related disruptions.
Addressing reporters, Garg said the administration has been releasing the Yatra only after fulfilling all safety preconditions laid down in the SOPs, which place significant emphasis on advisories issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the condition of the trekking routes.
He said the Yatra had remained suspended for a few days due to adverse weather conditions. While restoration work on the Pahalgam axis is still underway following damage to the track, the pilgrimage has been proceeding smoothly through the Baltal route for the past two days.
“The repair work on the Pahalgam track is being carried out by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Until the track is fully restored and declared safe, the Yatra will continue through the Baltal axis,” Garg said.
The Divisional Commissioner said the administration has deployed Medical Response Teams (MRTs), health personnel, sanitation staff, camp commanders and district administration officials along the route, who are continuously monitoring the pilgrimage to ensure the safety and well-being of devotees.
Referring to the latest weather forecast, Garg said the IMD has predicted another spell of adverse weather between July 28 and July 31, including the possibility of heavy rainfall. He said review meetings involving all concerned departments, security agencies and officials of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board are held every evening to assess the prevailing situation.
“Only after evaluating the weather forecast and the condition of the tracks is a conscious decision taken regarding the next day’s Yatra,” he said.
Garg added that restoration work on the Pahalgam route remains dependent on weather conditions. Any fresh rainfall could delay maintenance as the track is long and requires extensive repairs.
He further clarified that all pilgrims who had earlier been stranded at the Nunwan base camp have already been allowed to proceed for the pilgrimage and there are currently no stranded yatris there.
“For the past two days, all fresh pilgrims arriving from Jammu, including those travelling by train, are being directed straight to the Baltal base camp to avoid inconvenience, as the Yatra is presently operating only through the Baltal route,” he said.
On arrangements at Baltal, the Div Com said the administration had earlier expanded the holding capacity of the base camp to accommodate 40,000 to 45,000 pilgrims, anticipating a higher influx, particularly of unregistered yatris.
“At present, the daily load at Baltal is around 15,000 to 20,000 pilgrims, which is nearly half of the camp’s total capacity. The base camp is adequately equipped to handle the present rush. If the number of arrivals increases in the coming days, additional arrangements will be made accordingly,” he said.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 3,823 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu early Monday for Baltal in 140 vehicles under tight security arrangements.
The batch comprised 2,966 male pilgrims, 855 female pilgrims, 84 sadhus and 17 sadhvis, who departed in a secured convoy for the Baltal base camp before proceeding towards the holy cave shrine.
With the latest arrivals and darshan, the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has now crossed the 4.22 lakh pilgrim mark, despite intermittent weather disruptions during the ongoing pilgrimage.
