Amarnath Yatra: On-the-spot registration starts

Jammu: J&K administration on Thursday began the on-the-spot registration of devotees in Jammu’s Shalimar area for the 52-day Amarnath Yatra. The first batch, taking the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route, will leave Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar base camp and Ram Mandir camp set for sadhus amid tight security on Friday. The pilgrimage via the steep but shorter 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal will start on Saturday, officials said.
To ensure safe and hassle-free pilgrimage, Jammu DC Ramesh Kumar and ADGP Anand Jain reviewed security and other arrangements.
According to reports, over 3.50 lakh yatris have registered for this year's yatra. There are 125 community kitchens (langars) set up along the two routes to the cave shrine and supported by over 6,000 volunteers. Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the security situation and arrangements for the Amarnath yatra on June 16 in the light of recent terror strikes in the Jammu region. tnn