The Union Territory administration in Jammu and Kashmir along with Shri Amarnath Shrine Board Authorities (SASB) has for the first time illuminated the arduous yatra trek for the ease of Amarnath pilgrims.
In the absence of proper lighting facilities along the trek, the pilgrims faced numerous hardships. Even volunteers of the state disaster response force (SDRF) and other security personnel faced daunting tasks during an emergency evacuation of sick pilgrims or other evacuations due to inclement weather conditions.
With less than one week to go for the start of the yatra, beginning from July 1, preparations are in full swing to provide better boarding, lodging, communication, sanitation and medical health facilities to the pilgrims undertaking the yatra from two different routes of Baltal and Pahalgam.
The office of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Sunday in a tweet said, "There has been illumination of the Yatra track from Kalimata to Holy Cave besides from Dumail to Sangam amid high spirited Yatra preparations. All preparations are put in place to ensure a smooth and safe yatra".
The engineers of the Power Development Department led by their Principal Secretary Rajesh Prasad have been working round the clock to illuminate the yatra trek. While supervising the work on ground zero, PDD Secretary Rajesh Prasad said, "I have personally supervised the work on ground zero. I have passed necessary instructions to the staff working on the ground and the contractors to ensure the entire work is finished in time". Rajesh Prasad said, "I am satisfied with the overall performance of the entire team. The field engineers and their support staff were happy after they completed the daunting task of illuminating the yatra trek".
The Department of Information and Public Relations Sunday also released a video highlighting efforts made by the UT administration and jawans of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and other technicians, laborers and local residents in creating required infrastructure facilities for the pilgrims en route the yatra trek. “The Government of Jammu & Kashmir is committed to ensuring a safe and comfortable pilgrimage for Yatris, ” the information department said.