Srinagar, July 02: For the first time, insurance cover would be provided to the pilgrims visiting the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir this year. Each yatri would be entitled to an insurance cover of Rs one lakh on payment of a registration fee of Rs 20, a government spokesman said today.

The pilgrimage commences on July 12.

He said no devotee would be allowed go on the yatra without formal registration. As many as 1.07 lakh pilgrims have registered themselves at 85 registration counters all over the country.

The spokesman said Pahalgam would remain open for the tourists during the yatra period unlike in the past.

He said Jammu and Kashmir tourism department has set up a camp at Nunwan near Pahalgam for registration of labourers and ponies whose services would be utilised by pilgrims during the month-long pilgrimage. In addition, four counters would be opened for the purpose at Chandanwari, the first stop en-route to the cave shrine, he added.

The camps at different places right from qazigund on jammu-srinagar nationa highway would be set up by various departements which would provide basic requirements to the pilgrims including medicare facilities, essential commodities, telecommunication, postal services and banking.

Each day 3500 yatris would be allowed to have the darshan. Bureau Report