Preparations are underway for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, a 62-day pilgrimage that will take place from July 1 to August 31, 2023. Devotees of Lord Shiva embark on this challenging annual journey to the sacred Amarnath cave shrine to offer prayers to the Ice Lingam. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has initiated the task of clearing the pathways leading to the shrine.
To ensure a safe and incident-free Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir, a coordinated security response involving multiple security agencies will be implemented in light of the potential threat from terrorists. The Ministry of Home Affairs will convene a crucial meeting to assess the security preparedness prior to the commencement of the yatra.
Senior officials from Jammu and Kashmir, along with representatives from the security establishment, will update the top officials of the Home Ministry on the arrangements being made for the annual pilgrimage. Additionally, Jammu and Kashmir will request an additional deployment of 250 paramilitary force companies from the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure the smooth execution of the yatra.
The Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General of Police Kashmir Frontier, Ashok Yadav, emphasized the coordinated efforts of various security agencies in safeguarding the Amarnath Yatra. He assured reporters that the BSF is fully prepared to fulfill its role in close coordination with the J&K administration and the police. Yadav also mentioned the establishment of dedicated teams to handle potential disasters and emergencies, equipped with the necessary resources to respond swiftly and minimize any damages.
The clearance of routes leading to the Holy Amarnath Shrine is currently underway. According to Aditya, the Officer Incharge of BRO at Chandanwari, around 800 laborers and 140 horses are involved in clearing the 32 km yatra track from Chandanwari to the holy cave. The target set by the J&K government is to complete this work by June 15, ensuring the paths are ready for the devotees. The tasks involve snow clearance, widening the track, restoring footbridges, installing handrails, implementing protective measures in landslide-prone areas, and constructing breast walls and retaining walls to safeguard the pathway.
The previous year witnessed a record turnout of 3.65 lakh pilgrims for the holy Amarnath Yatra, marking the highest participation in five years. The yatra was suspended in 2019 due to the pending decision on the revocation of special status under Article 370 for Jammu and Kashmir. In 2020 and 2021, the yatra could not take place due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
