In Jammu and Kashmir, the first batch of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra today reached the twin base camps at Nunwan in the Pahalgam area of Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district under tight security.
The 57-day pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine was formally flagged off from Jammu in the early hours by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The Yatra will officially begin tomorrow and is scheduled to culminate on August 28.
The convoy, which departed from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu, crossed into the Valley this afternoon under a multi-tier security cover.
The first batch comprises 4,822 yatris, 2,510 are scheduled to trek via the Pahalgam route while 2,312 will takethe Baltal route early tomorrow morning. Upon reaching the base camps, the yatris were accorded a warm welcome by officials and local residents.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made across both routes to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the yatra.Additional deployments of police, paramilitary forces, and traffic personnel have been stationed along the entire route.
In addition, comprehensive arrangements have been put in place, including the establishment of medical facilities, real-time weather monitoring systems, and Quick Response Teams (QRTs) at critical locations. Extensive CCTV surveillance and RFID-based tracking systems for pilgrims and vehicles have also been installed.
