Helicopter Services for Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2010 flagged-off from Baltal as well as Pahalgam in Kashmir
Srinagar (Kashmir), July 1 - The Minister for Forests flagged-off the Helicopter services from Baltal to Panjtarni, while the Minister for Tourism launched the Helicopter services from Pahalgam to Panjtarni in the presence of the Governor.
The helicopter services for the Yatris, who wish to avail of such facilities, have been made available on each of the two routes viz. Baltal-Panjtarni-Baltal and Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam. The one way heli-fare for Baltal-Panjtarni and Pahalgam-Panjtarni has been fixed at Rs. 2425 and Rs. 3800, respectively. Children, between the age of 2-12 years, will be required to pay half the aforesaid prices. The helicopter fares this year are substantially lower than those in Yatra 2009.
This year’s Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which commenced from Baltal and Pahalgam today morning, will conclude on Raksha Bandhan on 24th August, 2010.
The registration of the Yatris for this year’s Yatra had commenced on 5th June, 2010, through 121 designated branches of the J&K Bank, located all over the country, as against 103 branches last year. Because of the longer distance and travel time, the registration of pilgrims from the Pahalgam route will not be allowed after 22nd August, 2010, while the registration in respect of the Baltal route, which is much shorter, will close on the 23rd August, 2010. The registration is being done on “First-Come-First-Serve Basis”.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, has once again appealed to the intending Shri Amarnathji Yatris to embark on the pilgrimage only after obtaining, in their own interest, a valid Yatra Permit. This would ensure against any avoidable inconvenience on arrival in the Valley. He reiterated that Yatris not possessing valid Yatra Permits will not be allowed to proceed on the Yatra beyond the Nunwan and Baltal Base Camps. It has been further advised that the Yatris, to avoid any inconvenience, may require to adjust their travel plans in accordance with the dates for which Yatra Permit has been issued to them.
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