Srinagar, July 12: In the wake of several accidents on Sangam Top-Amarnath cave track, the Governor N N Vohra who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, has deputed an eight-member mountaineering team to assist the movement of Yatris.
 According to the SASB CEO, R K Goyal, the team from the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, Pahalgam was deputed in addition to the 20 policemen comprising two mobile rescue teams which had already been deployed to assist Yatris between Sheshnag and Poshpathri along the Pahalgam route.
 “The team was deputed after reports of accidents on the difficult five km stretch between Sangam Top and the shrine, which becomes extremely slippery when the snows start melting,” Goyal said. He said the movement of Yatris was being monitored several times a day and appropriate directions issued to the Camp Directors with regard to providing the requisite facilities to the Yatris.
 He said the Governor after returning from New Delhi last evening, reviewed arrangements for the Yatris at the Base Camps, Camp locations enroute and at the Cave. Goyal said the Governor also reviewed the security arrangements and reiterated his directions to all officers to provide all facilities and assistance to the Yatris.
 Vohra expressed satisfaction that the Camp Directors had been carrying out daily sanitation drives and reiterated the importance of ensuring day-to-day cleanliness for the protection of environment.
 The CEO informed Vohra that the Sewage Treatment Plants at the Baltal and Nunwan Base Camps had been operating satisfactorily and sanitation and cleanliness aspects were being accorded adequate attention.
 Goyal asked Yatris to adhere to the advisory of Do’s and Don’ts which is printed on the reverse of the Yatra Permit and also issued to the Yatris.

3,200 Yatris leave for Amarnath
 Amid tight security, a fresh batch of 3,135 Yatris today left Jammu for their journey to 3,888-metre high Amarnath cave in south Kashmir Himalayas.
 The batch left from the base camp of Bagwati Nagar in 109 vehicles amid tight security of CRPF and police, Police Control Room officials said here.
 The batch, comprising 2,185 men, 694 women, 77 children and 179 sadhus, had already crossed Batote and were expected to reach its respective destinations to Pahalgam and Baltal camp by the evening, they said.
 With today's batch, as many as 34,939 pilgrims have left for Amarnath from Jammu base camp. Up to July 11, 1,41,232 Yatris visited the Amarnath Cave.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST