Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 17: The shortest Baltal track to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas was ready while work to clear snow on traditional Pahalgam route was going on war footing, as the annual 59-day-long pilgrimage will commence from July 2. Meanwhile, security forces have taken position at several places, particularly at two base camps at Nunwan Pahalgam in south Kashmir and Baltal in the central Kashmir district of Ganderbal, officials said. They said work on the restoration and improvement of track from Baltal-Holy Cave has been completed. They said at Baltal Base Camp, all facilities relating to the establishment of Base Hospital, electricity, water supply, toilets, baths, and communication systems have been put in place. Base Hospital, huts, toilets and baths have been erected at Panjtarni and Army personnel have reached there, while the site for setting up Medical Aid Centre (MAC) at Railpatri has been identified. However, work was going on war footing to clear the snow and improve the track on traditional Pahalgam track.
Meanwhile, an additional Emergency Aid Centre will be set up by the State Health Department between Railpatri and Brarimarg. More than 60 medical camps would be set up by different security agencies, including Army, BSF, CRPF, ITBP and State Police, besides health department at different places on both tracks to provide medical facilities to the pilgrims.Though there was no specific information about any militant plan to disrupt the pilgrimage, but adequate security forces would be deployed for smooth and peaceful yatra, they said. Besides security forces, including Army, already deployed for counter insurgency operations, additional personnel would be deployed to ensure peaceful pilgrimage. They said 321 toilets and baths rooms, 900 tents and 50 shops would be installed at Panjtarni during Yatra. As many as 14 pucca structures were under repair or restoration by Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) at Panjtarni for use as the Medical Camp and as disaster shelters, the officials added. |
