Srinagar: A day after the entire Amarnath Yatra route was declared a no-flying zone, the Amarnath Shrine Board on Wednesday announced that helicopter services will not be available for pilgrims this year. The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to begin on July 1.
The board, which typically operates helicopter services on both the traditional Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal route, said the decision was taken in view of increased security concerns following the terror attack in Pahalgam in April.
Authorities have heightened vigilance, with the Home Department—under the administration of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha—issuing a ban on all aerial platforms, including UAVs, drones, and balloons, along the pilgrimage routes from July 1 to August 10.
In an official statement, the board said pilgrims can reach the holy cave either on foot or by using services such as horses and palanquins.
To ensure the safety of pilgrims, as many as 581 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) will be deployed during the yatra.
