Concerned over death of 107 yatris, government plans safe Amarnath

Srinagar: Concerned over the death of 107 pilgrims, mostly due to cardiac arrest, and registering 40 per cent increase in the rush of yatris this year, the authorities have set up a high powered committee for advance planning for providing a safe, secure and comfortable pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalyas next year A record number of more than 6.5 lakh pilgrims had the darshan of the self-made holy Shiv-lingam in the cave shrine during 45-day-long pilgrimage this year.
According to official figures available, 107 pilgrims have died during yatra 2011, because of the very difficult terrain and unpredictable weather condition.
It was therefore necessary to identify and implement appropriate measures for improving the regulation of the pilgrimage.
In this context, officials said the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) would shortly be launching a media campaign to enlarge awareness about the need for every potential Yatri possessing the desired level of physical fitness as most of the pilgrims have died due to cardiac ailments.
This campaign, to be launched before end of December 2011, would, inter alia, focus on every pilgrim, in his own interest, undergoing a medical check up before commencing the Yatra.
The officials said there was over 40 per cent increase in the pilgrimage Yatra 2011 as compared to 2010. Therefore, it emphasised the need for advance planning being undertaken to timely provide the pilgrim-specific facilities.
During 2011 pilgrimage, there was also no check of yatris visiting the Holy shrine from both sides. Majority of the yatris were unregistered.
Against agreed 10,000 from both sides, more than 25,000 were visiting the shrine daily.
For this purpose a high-powered committee was constituted yesterday to review the presently available pilgrimage related facilities and evolve well considered recommendations for the upgradation and enlargement of the infrastructural facilities for the annual pilgrimage.