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JAMMU, INDIA, May 20, 2004: For the first time since the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Amarnath started, the pilgrimage to the Ice Siva Lingam high in Amarnath Cave would be thrown open for two months instead of one month. Besides, a helicopter service from Baltal to the holy cave is likely to be introduced this year. Arrangements would also be made for emergency aerial evacuation of pilgrims as and when required. Dr. Arun Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, told the Press at Rajbhawan in Srinagar this morning. He said that although the official yatra will commence on 1 August , pilgrims will be allowed to take the Baltal route, where snows melt earlier, from 2 July onwards. But the traditional Pahalgam-Chandanwari route, with halts at Sheshnag and Panchtarni, will be opened for the yatra from 1 till 30 August. The extended period of the yatra will not only give a boost to tourism in the valley but will also more pilgrims to visit Amarnath. In previous years, pilgrims used to go to Amarnath along the Baltal route before it opened officially. By officially extending the duration of pilgrimage, not only will security be provided to such pilgrims but it will also enable a record number of 300,000 pilgrims to visit the cave this year. At an average expenditure of US$45 per pilgrim, the expected increase of yatris would inject at least $13.5 million in the economy of Kashmir.

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