Kashmir gears up for annual Amarnath Yatra

Kashmir has geared up for the annual pilgrimage to the hugely revered and popular Amarnath cave shrine, starting from June 30.The work of the clearance of the track from Pahalgam to the Amarnath cave is almost complete.

Chandanbadi/Nunkun base camp (Jammu and Kashmir), June 18 : Kashmir has geared up for the annual pilgrimage to the hugely revered and popular Amarnath cave shrine, starting from June 30.The work of the clearance of the track from Pahalgam to the Amarnath cave is almost complete.

"We have started the work of track clearance. It will be complete by June 20. The locals can start taking their stuffs and other materials for the pilgrimage after June 20," said Tuffail Matoo, Chief Executive Officer, Pahalgam Development Authority.

Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which looks after the annual affairs, has made 45 rest shelters at various points along the 14 kilometer-track to pilgrimage. The board has also made 2300 environment friendly toilets, 400 more than previous years.

Apart from this, the Board has also given permission to locals to set up 4300 tents and 720 shops. About 120 organisations will distribute free meals to the pilgrims.

Security has been tightened for the Pahalgam and Baltal route, with soldiers patrolling the entire stretch.

"Army has done a commendable job. They have assured that there will be safe, secure and comfortable journey to Amaranath," said Lieutenant Colonel A. K. Mathur, Army spokesman, Kashmir.

In the past, the Amarnath pilgrimage has been targeted by militants on several occasions.

Majority of the residents depends on the seasonal pilgrimage for their livelihood. One of the local villagers, Irfan said: "We are dependent on pilgrimage for our living. We have been doing this for last 60-70 years."

This year, the pilgrimage will conclude on August 28.

ANI