In view of the terror threat looming over the ongoing Amarnath pilgrimage, top brass of the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday reviewed the security arrangements in the south Kashmir that is the nerve center of the pilgrimage.
The Director-General CRPF Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar and Director General of Police J&K SP Vaid accompanied by senior police and paramilitary officers including Special DG CRPF VSK Kaumudi and Inspector General Operations CRPF Zulfiquar Hasan visited south Kashmir to review the arrangements for smooth conduct of the Yatra.
The officers took a detailed review of all arrangements en-route. The field officers briefed them regarding various measures taken for security and management of the Yatra.
Later, Vaid had a detailed review of the arrangements with police officers. The meeting was attended by Deputy Inspector General south Kashmir Amit Kumar and District SSP of south Kashmir.
DGP impressed upon the officers to ensure that the vehicles cross the identified locations as per the specified cut-off timings. He directed the officers to take all precautions in view of any weather conditions so as to ensure the smooth passage of Yatra through their respective areas. He also reviewed the preparedness for the disaster management and directed the rescue teams to stay alert and active for facing any challenge.
To ensure safe and secure movement of pilgrims, the Police on Thursday issued traffic advisory indicating detailed cut-off timing at various places enroute the holy cave on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes. The advisory shall be applicable for the tourists as well.
As per the advisory, the cut-off time for the pilgrims and the tourists crossing Jawahar Tunnel on the Jammu—Srinagar highway towards the Kashmir valley has been set 3 pm while cut-off time for the last such vehicle to cross Mirbazaar towards Anantnag will be 4 p.m. However, the cut-off time for the last vehicle to cross Anantnag town towards Pahalgam is 5 p.m.
The cut-off time for the departure of last Yatri from Nunwan towards base camp Chandanwari (by foot) is 10 a.m, from Chandanwari towards Sheshnag (by foot) 11 am and from Panjtirthi towards holy cave 7 a.m.
The cut off timing for the vehicles to cross Panthachowk towards Manigam is 5 p.m. and to cross Shadiporaor Pandach towards Manigam is 6 p.m. However, the last vehicle to cross Manigam Transit camp towards Baltal is 6:30 p.m.
Similarly, during the return journey, the cut-off time for the last vehicle to cross Baltal Base camp towards Manigam is 9 a.m. and from the Nunwan Pahalgam) base camp it is 10 a.m. No vehicle shall be permitted to cross the tunnel after the cut-off time.