Pahalgam/Baltal, July 5: The annual Amarnath Yatra recorded a turnout of over 26,000 pilgrims during its initial two days, following the formal opening of the mountain tracks on Friday. Security and administrative agencies have mobilized extensive resources to oversee the steady flow of devotees chanting hymns along the Baltal and Nunwan trails. According to statistical reports from the shrine management, nearly 14,900 individuals registered their presence at the cave on Friday, returning safely to their respective base stations shortly after completing their prayers.
The transit of the large crowd is being tightly regulated by regional law enforcement and central security wings to prevent unauthorized blockages on the highways. Over 14,900 yatris have officially transitioned from Jammu toward the Kashmir valley since the startup, with a fourth batch consisting of 6,700 individuals arriving at the base camps on Sunday afternoon.
“The authorities have put in place multi-layered security arrangements along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the twin tracks,” a regional administrative coordinator affirmed during an operational update. He declared that these steps are vital to safeguarding the thousands of travelers traversing the challenging high-altitude terrain.
To streamline the arrival process, municipal workers have set up dedicated registration hubs near the Tawi riverfront to handle Tatkal applications and distribute identification tokens. Officials stated that no exceptions will be made for individuals attempting to bypass the established calendar.
“Pilgrims who have arrived in Jammu and Kashmir without registration are again requested to wait for their turn,” a department representative asserted, emphasizing the need for disciplined movement. He maintained that the combination of unpredictable weather shifts and rugged topography necessitates absolute compliance with the registration guidelines to ensure public safety throughout the pilgrimage season.
