For pilgrims and believers of the holy cave shrine of Amarnath, this news would certainly bring some cheer. The Amarnath Yatra, which usually is an annual event and was not made operational this year, is all set to start on July 21 and culminate on Raksha Bandan on August 3.
The number of yatris has been restricted to 500 per day from Jammu by road. The J&K government's SoPs, which applied to all incoming passengers in J&K, says they must be tested and quarantined until they are reported negative. And this shall apply to the yatris as well.
Authorities in the UT of Jammu-Kashmir are toiling to make preparations and check arrangements underway to make this yatra a safe one. Dedicated terminals and counters would be established at the entry point Lakhanpur to ensure the registration and medical sampling of all pilgrims.
Besides the normal protocol of social distancing and wearing of masks, authorities will also be ensuring adequate provision of drinking water, toilets and maintenance of cleanliness throughout this arduous trek to the shrine from the base camp at the Yatri Niwas in Bhagwati Nagar.