Hirra Azmat
Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole today said Amarnath Yatris will be provided the best possible facilities in Kashmir.
“All arrangements from lodging, sanitation, and clean drinking water are being made. Besides, adequate security arrangements will also be made for the safety and security of Yatris,” Pole told The Kashmir Monitor.
The government is expecting around 8 lakh Yatris to visit the Amarnath cave this year. There is much excitement among the intending Yatris as the Amarnath Yatra could not take place for the last two years.
To avoid any inconvenience faced by these yatris, the divisional administration is making arrangements including the smooth flow of transport, free medicare, a confirmation center, etc.
The government has decided to constitute special flying squads to provide hassle-free transport services to the Amarnath Yatra. “Facilitation of Yatra has to be carried out properly,” said a top administration official.
At Pahalgam and Baltal, fabricated toilets and tents are being built for the convenience of Yatris. “There have been special arrangements made for the facilitation of Yatra this year than the previous years,” the official said.
The way and roads leading to Amarnath cave are being painted these days and the cleaning process is on the fast track.
People living in Anantnag and Ganderbal are also busy these days making arrangements for the Yatris to ensure a safe and comfortable stay during Yatra days.
Ali Mohammad, a footpath vendor at Pahalgam is eagerly waiting for the commencement of Yatra. He said, “This year we have good expectations from this Yatra. Yatris are our special guests and deserve better hospitality than other visitors to the valley. We should provide them better hospitality to win their hearts so lakhs of tourists would turn towards the valley.”
Bashir Sheikh, a hotelier in Srinagar said, “I got a booking from Yatris who have planned to spend 10 days in the valley.”
This year, the Yatra will be held from June 30 to August 11. Registration has started and can be done through mobile apps also.
Mehraj Ahmad, a ponywala from South Kashmir’s Pahalgam area said: “We waited for the Yatris for the whole year because we earn our bread and butter from it. I expect this year the number of Yatris visiting the valley would be highest in the last several years.”
