Amarnath Yatra 2020: Final Decision In A Few Days; Baltal Route Being Cleared

“We have received instructions to clear the Baltal track and accordingly we are on job to clear the route, but we have no further information in this regard,” DC Ganderbal Shafqat Ahmad said.

Representative Photo: PTI

After months of speculations, some good news for Shiv Bhakts as the government is taking a final call on the annual Amarnath yatra next week. Officials from security and allied agencies have started deliberations with the shrine board over the conduct of the yatra, for a shorter duration of two weeks and from Baltal route only, likely from 21st July. 

Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, has got instructions to clear the baltal track for annual Amarnath yatra pilgrimage, a final decision would only be taken after a fresh review of the coronavirus situation in mid- June, sources said.

“We have received instructions to clear the Baltal track and accordingly we are on job to clear the route, but we have no further information in this regard,” DC Ganderbal Shafqat Ahmad said.

The 43-daylong annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave at Pahalgam was to start on June 23 and end on August 3.

However the official sources said that due to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, an appropriate decision on organising the Amarnath yatra can only be taken after a fresh review of the coronavirus situation.

 “The final review is likely to take place in the mid- june and the government will explore all possible means required for the conduct of the yatra. However, all these developments are subject to review, in view of the COVID-19 crisis,” the officials said.

 Last year, the yatra was cancelled by the government in view of the security threat. The government had issued an advisory asking yatris and tourists to leave Kashmir on August 3. On August 5, 2019, Kashmir was put under lockdown after the revocation of Article 370.

The government has recently said that around 20,000 healthcare professionals and 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel were working to contain the spread of coronavirus, and their availability is also to be ascertained for the conduct of the yatras.

Reports had earlier surfaced that the annual Amarnath Yatra, will be held only for 15 days this year and the pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas will be conducted from the shorter Baltal route only, however no reaction from the srine board was recived then.

Sources explained that there were practical problems in organising the yatra this year because of the pandemic. Who all will come and how will they be screened and tested and quarantined?

These are the questions that the shrine board, headed by Lt-Governor GC Murmu, is faced with, sources maintained. “Then, there are the issues of setting up of health centres, community kitchens and, above all, the deployment of forces”.

“The unprecedented situation this year had made the shrine board announce the cancellation of the yatra before it modified its order saying, “the possibilities of the yatra would be explored after a few weeks”. But the shrine board was of the clear view that holding a formal yatra would not be possible this year due to the havoc caused by the pandemic.

The annual pilgrimage attracts devotees from all over India. The pilgrims have to register with the SASB to take part in the Amarnath Yatra. The SASB organises the travel and security with the help of the government of Jammu to Kashmir.

The yatra starts from Yatri Bhawan in Jammu and is escorted by CRPF to the base camp at Pahalgam in Anantnag in south Kashmir. The yatris halt at Pahalgam and then proceed in groups to trek the 48km route for the darshan of the lingam at Amarnath cave. Most yatris return from Baltal, which is the shorter and safer route.