Srinagar, May 23: Rejecting the proposal of Shri Amarnath shrine board to extend to two months the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to stick to last year's schedule of one-month duration for the yatra beginning August 1. "The government has considered the proposal of Shri Amarnath shrine board to extend the yatra to two months from Baltal route this year but decided against it in view of the prevailing situation," an official spokesman said here. He said for the time being, the yatra to the cave shrine situated at an altitude of 3,800 metre would be opened only for one month from both Baltal and traditional Pahalgam routes as per last year, with Jammu continuing to be the base camp. Several aspects have to be taken into account and adequate planning and preparations made before effecting any change in the existing pattern in view of high sensitivity of the yatra, the spokesman said.
Chief Executive Officer of the board Arun Kumar last Thursday proposed that the duration of the yatra be extended by a month and the number of pilgrims allowed to have darshan be increased to three lakh. He also suggested that the government should modify the registration procedure to allow as many as 5,000 pilgrims to the cave shrine everyday.
On advance registration, the spokesman said Jammu and Kashmir bank would continue to make computerised registration as per last year's pattern at branches in different cities. There would be some provision for on-the-spot registration in Jammu.
Bureau Report