Central team to review security arrangement for Amarnath Yatra

A home ministry team is expected to visit Srinagar next week to review security arrangements and health protocols for Amarnath Yatra which is likely to be only 15 days this year. Sources said in view of the corona outbreak and security arrangement the Yatra would only be allowed from one route, of Baltal only, instead of generally using the two routes through Pahalgam.

The Yatra is likely to start on July 20 and finish on August 3, security sources added though initially it was to start from June 23 but was delayed in view of the corona scare.

Initially, it was decided that Yatra will be of 42 days but seeing the corona outbreak the State administration has decided to reduce the period of the Yatra to 15 days only.

The home ministry will hold detailed security review meeting with Lt-governor of Jammu and Kashmir G.C. Murmu to ensure that foolproof security and health arrangements can be made this year.

Security officials said the Pahalgam route of the Yatra was still blocked due to heavy snow so it has been decided to allow the procession only through the Baltal route.

Officials claimed there is some shortage of labourers this year as most of them have gone back to their native villages due to corona so snow could not be cleared in time on the Pahalgam circuit so only Baltal route would be used.

“Every year only security used to be a major challenge for the administration. But this year even health protocols are going to be very important in view of corona and these too will be followed strictly. So the Yatra duration is being reduced and strict access control and protocols will be followed,’’a senior security official added.