57498 yatries performed darshan,Governor enhances daily quota of helicopter bookings

Scoop News July 05, 2010

Srinagar, July 5 (Scoop News) – As many as 12527 Shri Amarnath pilgrims left from Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal-Sonamarg base camps of the valley to Holy Amarnath Cave for having darshan of the Shiv lingam.

According to sources, 6949 pilgrims comprising of 5432 male ,1036 female,246 children and 235 Sadhus left for Holy Amarnath Cave for darshan from Nunwan base camp-Phalgam while as 5578 pilgrims comprising of 4150 male ,1090 female, 263 children and 75 Sadhus left from Baltal base camp to Holy Amarnath Cave for darshan.

As such 57498 yatries had darshan of Shiv lingam so far.

Meanwhile Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has further enhanced the allocation of helicopter seats to the Travel Trade, Hotel and Hospitality Industry in Jammu and Kashmir during the ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra, with a view to give fillip to tourism related activities in the State with the increased participation of local stakeholders.

Decision to this effect was taken on the directions of the Governor, N. N. Vohra, who is the Chairman of SASB, aiming at engendering increased economic benefits for the State hospitality industry.

Giving details, the Chief Executive Officer of the Board, Raj Kumar Goyal, said that an additional 50 helicopter seats have been allotted to the Hospitality Industry. Of these, 10 each have been allocated for the Hotel Associations of Kashmir and Jammu Divisions; 10 for the Hotel Association, Pahalgam; 10 for the House Boat Owners Association and another 10 for the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation. This is in addition to the quota of 140 helicopter seats earlier allocated to the four recognized Travel and Tour Operators, two each from Kashmir and Jammu Divisions.

Goyal also disclosed that, on the instructions of the Chairman, the Shrine Board has, for the first time ever, provided outlets at the Baltal and Nunwan Base Camps to the HELP Foundation J&K, a Srinagar based NGO working for the welfare of women and children, for selling their products, including shawls, rugs, cushion covers, jute handbags etc.

Meanwhile, despite the heavy rains and fresh snows in the high mountains, the Yatra to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji is progressing satisfactorily. Today morning over 3000 Yatris left Yatri Niwas, Jammu, for Pahalgam and Baltal Base Camps; over 6000 Yatris proceeded to Sheshnag/Panjtarni, and from Domail, about 5500 proceeded to the Holy Cave.

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