Amid tight security, the first batch of nearly 3000 pilgrims today left the base camp here for the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath
Advisors to the Governor K Vijay Kumar and B B Vyas flagged off a fleet of 107 vehicles and four motorcycles carrying 2,995 pilgrim from the heavily-guarded Bhagwati base camp around 4.30 am.
The pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 26 coinciding with the ‘Raksha Bandhan’ festival.
The pilgrims were enthusiastic about undertaking the pilgrimage and expressed satisfaction over arrangements
The government is for the first time using radio frequency (RF) tags to track Amarnath-bound vehicles, while the CRPF has introduced motorcycle squads with cameras and various life-saving equipment.
Around 40,000 security personnel, have been deployed for this year’s pilgrimage.
A total of 2.60 lakh pilgrims offered prayers last year.
