Army, govenrment to formulate strategy for Amarnath yatra on highway

To ensure seamless movement of pilgrims during the annual Amarnath Yatra along the Jammu- Srinagar highway, army and civil authorities on Friday decided to formulate strategies that will focus on security and protection of pilgrims convoys besides enhancing the food and medical facilities to them.

"All the points of concern were discussed in detail to reach a common consensus to formalise the right strategy for yatra to include security arrangements, protection of yatri convoys, regulation of traffic, enhancing facilities of langars and medical facilities all across the highway," a Defence spokesman said here on Friday.

Rashtriya Rifles Battalion under Delta Force organised a coordinating conference, involving all the security and intelligence agencies along with civil administration, to take a stock of the prevailing security environment in the Chenab valley in view of the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra, he said.

The emphasis was laid on overall preparations of the yatra, in view of the expected huge influx of yatris, commencing from July 2, he said.

The Jammu-Sringar highway suffered damages due to incessant rains in the previous months and still remains an obstacle for the smooth conduct of yatra.