Jammu and Kashmir's Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary called the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, a "celebration of unity and brotherhood," praising the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for their excellent work on the pilgrimage track and their security
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary. Pic/X
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary on Tuesday described the upcoming Amarnath Yatra as a powerful celebration of the region's inherent unity and brotherhood, reported news agency ANI.
Chaudhary undertook a review of the extensive preparations for the pilgrimage, offering high praise to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for their exceptional work in redeveloping the yatra track.
The Amarnath Yatra, a revered pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir, is scheduled to commence on July 3, with thousands of devotees anticipated to participate.
Speaking to media reporters, Deputy CM Chaudhary stated, "This yatra is a festival of J-K. The beauty of this yatra is that the base camp is in Jammu and the shrine of Baba Amarnath is in Kashmir. This is the brotherhood of Jammu and Kashmir, which the world knows... I had come here to chair the review meeting of the yatra that starts on 3 July. I saw the track... It gives me immense pleasure to tell you that BRO has done an exemplary job at redeveloping the track."
According to ANI, the 38-day yatra will begin on July 3 and conclude on August 9. The pilgrimage will utilise two established routes: the traditional 48-kilometre Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The first group of pilgrims is set to depart from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on July 2.
Chaudhary also acknowledged the operational challenges, noting, "The working days in Kashmir are extremely few, and now, when the Yatra begins, work will again stop... The state government and the shrine board are managing the yatra..."
Beyond discussing the Yatra arrangements, Chaudhary also reiterated the Jammu and Kashmir administration's firm demand for the restoration of statehood. "Statehood leke rahenge. Chheen ke rahenge. Bilkul nahi rukenge," he emphatically stated.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the Baltal base camp to personally review the necessary arrangements for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. Sinha held meetings with officials from all relevant departments to review the security, logistics, and overall coordination for this year's pilgrimage, reported ANI.
He further expressed confidence that the administration and security forces have made significantly improved arrangements this year to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage for devotees arriving from across the country.
Speaking to reporters, Sinha remarked, "Officials from all departments were present in the meeting here today... The administration and the Shrine Board have together made better arrangements. The security forces have made very robust security arrangements. I hope that this time, people will be able to undertake the yatra even more successfully than before, and the devotees coming from all over the country will have a better experience here..."
Additionally, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also commented on the necessary arrangements facilitated for the pilgrims of the Amarnath Yatra.
He stated that Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha had chaired two crucial meetings ahead of the pilgrimage: one with political parties and another with civil society, specifically to ensure proper facilities for the pilgrims.
(With inpuuts from ANI)
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