Banihal, Jul 18: The 17th batch of 3,632 pilgrims undertaking the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in the early hours of Saturday under multi-layer security arrangements, officials said.
According to the Joint Police Control Room, the Baltal-bound convoy departed at 2:40 a.m., while the Pahalgam-bound convoy left at 3:12 a.m. The pilgrims were escorted in 148 vehicles, including 82 buses, 17 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 47 light motor vehicles (LMVs) and two two-wheelers.
Of the total pilgrims, 1,008 are travelling via the shorter Baltal route, while 2,624 have opted for the traditional Pahalgam route. The batch comprises 2,650 male pilgrims, 858 female pilgrims, 104 sadhus, 19 sadhvis and one child.
With the departure of the 17th batch, the total number of pilgrims who have left the Jammu base camp for the holy cave shrine this year has reached 112,760.
Meanwhile, as the annual pilgrimage continues, the Ramban district administration has intensified monitoring of facilities for the devotees along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan, accompanied by SSP Ramban Arun Gupta, ADC Varunjeet Singh Charak, SDM Banihal Mohammed Naseeb Bajraan and other officers, inspected the Yatra Camp at Lamber Ground Banihal on late evening Friday, to review arrangements for the pilgrims.
The Deputy Commissioner inspected all langars functioning at the camp and reviewed the quality, hygiene and safety of food being served to the pilgrims. He directed the Food Safety Officer to conduct regular inspections and ensure that only fresh, hygienic and nutritious food is served to devotees.
He also reviewed sanitation, drinking water, power supply, accommodation, medical facilities and other essential services at the camp. Interacting with langar organisers, he stressed maintaining high standards of cleanliness and quality service throughout the pilgrimage.
The Deputy Commissioner also interacted with pilgrims, who expressed satisfaction over the arrangements and appreciated the coordinated efforts of the district administration and various departments. He directed all concerned officers to remain vigilant, strengthen inter-departmental coordination and ensure prompt redressal of any issues faced by the pilgrims, while reiterating that regular inspections of langars and other facilities would continue throughout the Yatra.
