Yatra reaches 1.51 L mark

Guv announces Rs 3 L ex-gratia relief

SRINAGAR: On the 15th day of the ongoing Amarnath pilgrimage, 18442 Yatris paid obeisance at the Holy Cave today taking the total to 1,51,923 Yatris who have performed darshan of the Holy Shivling so far even as 3419 Yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Base Camp in Jammu for the Nunwan and Baltal Base Camps in Valley.

Governor NN Vohra, Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), announced ex-gratia relief of Rs three lakh each to the next of kin of eight pilgrims, who died in various accidents during the Amarnath yatra while another Yatri died due to cardiac arrest, thus taking the toll to 21.

On Thursday morning, amid tight security, the fresh batch of 3419 pilgrims left in a fleet of vehicles from Jammu for the twin base camps of Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Anantnag district. Of them, 2,217 pilgrims opted for the traditional 36-km Pahalgam track, while 1,202 others are performing the yatra through the 12-km Baltal route, an official said.

In Valley, nearly 9480 Yatris proceeded towards the Shrine on twin routes while as many as 18442 Yatris paid obeisance at the Holy Cave by today evening.

Meanwhile, Governor NN Vohra today announced ex-gratia relief of Rs. 3.00 lakh each to the next of kin of 5 Yatris who died due to shooting stones on Baltal-Holy Cave route and 3 cases of deaths in road accidents.

This was announced during a review meeting held with Umang Narula, CEO of the Shrine Board today.

CEO informed Chairman that during 28th June - 11th July, 2018, 20 Yatris had died enroute to Holy Cave. In addition, 2 Service Providers also died, thereby raising the death toll to 22. Out of 22 persons, 14 persons died due to medical reasons and 8 pilgrims died in accidents at different locations.
“As on 11th July, 2018 the Board had paid Rs. 24 lakh as ex-gratia and spent About Rs 5 lakh on account of transportation cost of the mortal remains of deceased Yatris to their home towns along with one attendant,” an official spokesperson said.

Expressing grief over the unfortunate deaths of the pilgrims, the Governor conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and issued instructions to CEO to provide immediate relief of Rs. 3.00 lakh in favour of the next of kin every Yatri who died in an accident.

Injured Yatris who require specialized treatment are being provided necessary care at Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar; the cost of such treatment is borne by the Shrine Board. As on 12th July 2018, 69 Yatris had been admitted to SKIMS out of whom 58 have been discharged and the rest are still under treatment.

Adding to the toll, a yatri from Maharashtra died due to cardiac arrest during pilgrimage. He was identified as 52-year-old Samajeet Sarjha, resident of Maharashtra, who suffered a cardiac arrest at Domail.

Sarjha was immediately rushed to medical camp where he was declared brought dead.