Amarnath yatra dates finalised

The much-publicized controversy between Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha and Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed over the annual Amarnath yatra has finally ended with the Jammu and Kashmir government announcing a one-month schedule.

As head of the Amarnath Shrine Board, the governor had earlier announced that this year's yatra would be extended to two months from the traditional one-month period.

Mufti had opposed the move citing security reasons. Thousands of army, paramilitary and police personnel are assigned to protect the pilgrims.

Also Read Plans to double duration of Amarnath yatra

According to the compromise that has been reached, this year's pilgrimage will commence from Jammu on July 29. The first batch of yatris will arrive at Pahalgam on July 29 and will be allowed to proceed towards the cave shrine on July 30. After halts en route, they will have darshan on August 1.

The last darshan would be on August 31.

The schedule was finalized at a high level meeting attended by top civil and police officers.

An official spokesman in Srinagar said that due to the limited accommodation at

Pahalgam and Baltal, only 3,500 yatris would be allowed to proceed for darshan each day. Of this, 2,700 would take the Pahalgam route and 800 the Baltal one.

Registration would be compulsory and can be done at various branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank. "This time, 20 per cent of the registration would be done through the Internet using the website of the J&K Bank on an experimental basis."

The state government will introduce a helicopter service from Baltal to the holy cave this year. The state civil aviation department was asked to expedite construction of a new helipad at the site.