With the annual Amarnath Yatra underway, the Jammu Division of Northern Railway has made elaborate arrangements at Jammu Tawi Railway Station to ensure the smooth movement of pilgrims arriving from across the country.
The railway authorities have set up a fully covered passenger holding area equipped with seating, lighting, fans, coolers, and drinking water facilities. Round-the-clock housekeeping has been deployed to maintain cleanliness, and additional staff have been positioned to ensure an uninterrupted water supply to trains.
A 24×7 help desk has also been established at the station, where railway staff, along with Scouts and Guides, are assisting pilgrims with train schedules, platform information, medical aid, and other services.
For security and crowd management, additional ticket-checking staff, commercial officials, and Railway Protection Force personnel have been deployed. CCTV surveillance and continuous monitoring from the railway war room are also in place.
Meanwhile, Platforms 4 and 5 have been commissioned for train operations, with Train No. 13152 becoming the first to operate from the newly commissioned platform on Friday.
The railway administration has advised pilgrims to travel only after completing registration, buy tickets from authorised counters, avoid accepting food or drinks from strangers, refrain from overcrowding on platforms, and contact the Rail Madad helpline 139 or the station help desk for assistance.
Over 12,000 Devotees Offer Prayers At Amarnath Shrine On First Day Of Yatra
In the Kashmir Valley, a total of 12,168 devotees reached the holy Amarnath Ji cave shrine on the first day of the Yatra and paid obeisance to Lord Shiva. Pilgrims visited the cave amid tight security and elaborate arrangements.
Earlier, authorities issued an advisory asking pilgrims to travel only on their registered dates, as there is a ceiling on the number of pilgrims for their security and safety.
Meanwhile, the second batch of yatris has reached Baltal and Nunwan base camps and will trek towards the holy cave in the early hours tomorrow morning.
