ShriAmarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) in its 40th board meeting, presided by J&KLG and board chairman Manoj Sinha, held on Saturday announced that the 56-dayannual Amarnath Yatra will commence from June 28 simultaneously along both theBaltal and Chandanwari routes in Kashmir and conclude on August 22.
The date and the duration of the Yatra has been decided keeping safety andsecurity of the pilgrims in mind. All the Covid-19 SOPs declared by thegovernment will be followed during the Yatra.
Advance registration of pilgrims will commence from April 1, 2021 through 446designated branches of Punjab National Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank and YESBank, located in 37 States and UTs.
The board will also enable the live telecast of morning and evening Aarti fordevotees across the globe. The pilgrims can also download the "ShriAmarnathji Yatra" app available on Google play store to get the real timeinformation about the Yatra and to avail several services online.
The board also deliberated at length on the number of Yatris who would beallowed to register, date-wise and route-wise, for this year's Yatra.Considering the carrying capacity of the existing tracks and other availableinfrastructure in the Yatra area, the board has decided to enhance the dailyroute-wise Yatri ceiling from 7500/Day/Route to 10,000/Day/Route, excludingYatris who would travel by helicopters.
The LG also directed for the issuance of special invitations to AkhadaParishads, Acharya Parishads and exploring possibility of establishing countersat prominent religious places across the country for facilitation of saintcommunity.
Laying special emphasis on providing best-in-class healthcare facilities to allthe visiting devotees and service providers, the LG directed the concernedofficers to upgrade the present healthcare facilities on both yatra routes withlatest equipments and augment strength of the medical staff to handle emergencycases.
On strengthening the communication channel, Sinha directed for making thetelecom services operational two weeks prior to the commencing of Yatra acrossthe routes.
It was further directed to upgrade the sanitation capacity commensurate withthe enhanced Yatra volume for base camp and along the routes.
The board also approved the increment of remunerations for Pujaris fromexisting Rs 1,000 per day to Rs 1,500 per day for the next three years.
Further, as directed by the LG in January 5, 2021 preparatory meeting, thegroup accidental insurance cover for Yatris, service providers was alsoenhanced from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and for ponies from Rs 30,000 to Rs50,000.
Introduction of RFID tracking and prepaid hiring of services for putting inplace for strengthened online digital system was also discussed.
The board also advised the CEO to appeal to all the potential pilgrims to consulttheir doctors before embarking on the pilgrimage. The CEO shall also widelypublicize that no person below the age of 13 years and above the age of 75years shall be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage.
Appreciating the important services rendered by the Langar Organisations, theboard looked to their continued support during Yatra 2021.