Jammu, June 27: Amid tight security cover, the first batch of pilgrims for the much- awaited Amarnath Yatra left from Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar base camp on Wednesday morning. The annual yatra to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in South Kashmir Himalayas will commence on June 28 and will conclude on August 26, 2018.  So far, over 2 lakh pilgrims from across the country have registered for the two-month-long yatra. This year, the yatra will be longer by 20 days against 40 days in 2017.  To recall, a total of 2.60 lakh pilgrims offered prayers at the shrine in 2017.

The pilgrims have started arriving in Jammu from various parts of the country. Officials informed that the first batch of yatris will leave for the twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam in Kashmir, in a fleet of vehicles under tight security. Inspector General of Police, Jammu, S D Singh Jamwal informed that all arrangements are in place to ensure smooth and peaceful pilgrimage, which is a symbol of brotherhood and communal harmony.

Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has also introduced 'Group Registration' since last year to facilitate registration of those intending pilgrims who want to travel in a Group comprising relatives, friends or neighbours. The Group Registration is available for an announced period.

Amarnath Yatra Route:

The two-month-long pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Amarnath will commence on June 28. The closest airport to Amarnath is Srinagar, located at a distance of around 95 km from Pahalgam, the base camp for Amarnath Yatra. Pilgrims can opt from two routes - The Pahalgam route and the Baltal to Amarnath Cave route. If pilgrims take the Pahalgam route (46 km), devotees need 5 days to reach the cave. This route is most popular, and people can also use ponies. If pilgrims take the Baltal to Amarnath Cave route (14 km), pilgrims can reach with just one-day travel on foot only.

Amarnath Yatra Weather Conditions:

As the Holy Cave is situated at an altitude of 13,500 feet above sea level atop South Kashmir Himalayas, the temperature may anytime fall to below 5 degrees Celsius. The high-altitude trek to the Holy Cave involves exposure to extreme cold, low humidity, increased ultraviolet radiations and reduced air pressure.

The oxygen level in the air is very low due to which many Yatris face respiratory and other related medical problems. The pilgrims have to trek a distance of 32 km from Chandanwari (Pahalgam Route) and 14 km from Baltal to reach the Holy Shrine. Pilgrims are advised to carry winter clothes, raincoat and waterproof shoes.

Security Arrangements:

The security arrangements for this year's pilgrimage has been heightened to thwart any rerun of last year's militant attack that left eight pilgrims dead and several injured. Ahead of the annual yatra, security forces have been asked to maintain the highest level of alertness.  Nearly 40,000 security personnel from Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary, National Disaster Response Force and the Army, have been being deployed for this year's pilgrimage.

CCTV cameras, metal detectors and X-ray machines have been installed to prevent smuggling in of contraband. Pilgrims' movement will be tracked through satellites, jammers and CCTV cameras will be installed as part of the security measure along pilgrimage routes. Besides, every person crossing into the tourist resort will be frisked.

The first security checkpoint was established and activated near the Langanbal bridge where police personnel check every vehicle entering or leaving Pahalgam. The second security barricade is adjacent to the Nunwan Base Camp where hi-tech gadgetry will be used to maintain strict vigil. Meanwhile, security personnel have been deployed on both sides of the Lidder stream to thwart any attempt of daredevilry by militants. Amid terror threat, the government has decided to fit each vehicle having Amarnath yatris aboard with radio frequency (RF) tag which will help in monitoring vehicles.

Helicopter Bookings:

The advance online booking for helicopter tickets for the annual yatra began on April 27, 2018. The helicopter bookings are being done from 10:00 am onwards Pilgrims can book the tickets through various websites of the heli-operators with which the arrangements had been finalised.

The companies include UTAir India Pvt Ltd and Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd for the Neelgrath-Panjtarni-Neelgrath sector and Himalayan Heli Services Pvt Ltd for the Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam sector. As per reports, the per passenger one-way fare for Yatra 2018 via helicopter has been fixed at Rs. 1,600/- (inclusive of all taxes) for the Neelgrath-Panjtarni-Neelgrath and Rs. 2,751/- (inclusive of all taxes) for the Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam sectors.

As per the ongoing registration trend, about 1,200 people are being registered every day. The maximum pilgrims are registering from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana. Considering the carrying capacity of the existing tracks and other available infrastructure in the pilgrimage area, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board has decided to allow 7,500 pilgrims on each route daily.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2018 11:01 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).