Amarnath Yatra: Private cab operators of Jammu decided to tender free pick and drop service to visiting Amarnath Yatra pilgrims

Private cab operators of Jammu decided to tender free pick and drop service to visiting Amarnath Yatra pilgrims between Railway Station and Shri Amarnath Ji Base Camp

In Jammu and Kashmir, the private cab operators of Jammu have decided to tender free pick and drop service to visiting Amarnath Yatra pilgrims between Railway Station and Shri Amarnath Ji Base Camp. Saints and Sadhus from across the country have started reaching base camps in the winter capital Jammu. In a first-of-its-kind gesture, Jammu Province Tourist Taxi Operator Federation (JPTTOF) along with Taxi Union Jammu Railway Station decided to offer free pick and drop service to pilgrims. 

Cab Union’s Chairman Inderjeet Sharma said cabs remain stationed at Jammu Railway Station during the 62-day duration of the yatra to ferry the pilgrims from the Railway Station and drop them at the Base Camp. Initially, 10 cabs will be pressed into service, and if required vehicles fleet would be extended. Moreover, over 200 Sadhus, including women, have arrived at Purani Mandi’s Ram Mandir, the base camp.

The Sadhus are upbeat to offer their prayers at the 3,880-metre high holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, housing the naturally formed ice-Shivling. The first batch of pilgrims, including a group of Sadhus, is leaving for the Yatra from Jammu on the 30th of June. The UT Administration has also planned ‘Jammu Darshan’ for the pilgrims to boost tourism and attract more tourists to J&K.

So far, around three lakh pilgrims have registered themselves online for the holy yatra and around five lakh devotees are expected to visit this year to the cave Shrine. Moreover, advance arrangements have been made for the Sadhu, which included aged and elderly persons. Coolers and air conditioners are available in good numbers to help pilgrims to beat the heat.