Tobacco ban in Amarnath Yatra: Due to land slide, two and a half km journey will have to be done wearing a helmet; Will travel from 1st July

Amarnath pilgrims have started reaching Jammu on June 29 itself. Tight security arrangements have been made when the pilgrims reach the base camp.

The Amarnath Yatra starting from July 1 will be completely tobacco free this time. The Jammu and Kashmir Health Department has issued an order on June 28, in which it has been asked to make the Amarnath Yatra tobacco-free under the National Tobacco Control Program.

Under the order, the sale of tobacco products will be completely banned at all the stops in the journey. District cells of Ganderbal and Anantnag districts will help the administration in this work.

The Amarnath Shrine Board has also made rules, under which the pilgrims will have to wear helmets on the 2.5 km high-risk route. The first batch of pilgrims will leave for the valley from Jammu Bhagwati Nagar base camp on June 30.

Photos related to Amarnath Yatra…

This picture of Baba Barfani is from 25th June.

This picture is of Baltal Base Camp.

This picture is of Pahalgam. People started arriving here from 26 June.

Shrine Board will give free helmets to devotees
Last year there was flood due to cloudburst near the holy cave, in view of this, precautions are being taken this time. According to Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, CEO of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, this time helmets have been made mandatory for passengers on the 2.5 km high-risk zone in view of incidents of landslides and stone falls.
Not only this, helmet will be necessary for those who will go by mule. Helmets will be provided free of cost by the Shrine Board. Along with this, more than 30 trend mountain rescue teams have been deployed in the hilly areas.

So far 3 lakh people have registered
Till June 28 this year, around 3.04 lakh people have registered for the Amarnath Yatra. This figure is 10% more than last year. This year, arrangements have been made to accommodate 70,000 pilgrims from Kathua to the holy cave. This time also no traveler will be allowed to stay near the holy cave at night.

Two hospitals with 100 beds built on both sides

It was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on 28 June.

Before the Amarnath Yatra, the DRDO and the Jammu and Kashmir administration have built two hospitals of 100 beds each at Baltal and Chandanwadi. Both the hospitals are equipped with all modern facilities. According to Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Secretary Bhupinder Kumar, the administration has spent Rs 13-13 crore for both the hospitals.

The Shrine Board has deployed 1700 doctors and paramedical staff. 4000 sweepers and 5100 toilets have been made on both the routes of the Yatra.

Section 144 on Samba border, ban on drones in Ramban

This ban will continue for two months till 31 August.

In view of the continuous infiltration attempts from Pakistan and the security of Amarnath Yatra, Section 144 has been imposed in Samba in an area one km from the International Border. That is, during interrogation, the local villagers and other people will have to reveal their identity.

On the other hand, the use of firecrackers and drones has been banned in Ramban. Under this, there will be a ban on the movement of people from 10 pm to 4 am. This ban will continue for two months.