STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) on Saturday decided to deploy 19 rescue teams to assist Yatris during the annual pilgrimage beginning 2nd July this year.
“A meeting to decide the specific places for the location of Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs), Avalanche Rescue Teams (ARTs) and Dog Squads during forthcoming Yatra was held here at the Raj Bhavan,” an official spokesman said.
He said the meeting was chaired by CEO, SASB, P.K Tripathi and was attended by the officers of police, army and paramilitary forces.
It was informed that six MRTs, each comprising of 10 police personnel would be deployed by 25th June at Sheshnag, Wavbal, Poshpatri, Lower Holy Cave on the Pahalgam route and at Sangam and Brarimarg along the Baltal route to cover vulnerable stretches on both the Yatra routes, the spokesman said.
He said the MRTs are deployed to help women and sick Yatris in negotiating difficult stretches on the Yatra routes.
All the equipments required by the MRTs have already been procured and these teams will be provided all necessary logistic support, the spokesman said.
He said along the Pahalgam route, nine teams of ARTs, including three teams of NDRF and six teams of SDRF would be deployed at Pahalgam, Pissu Top, Sheshnag and at Nunwan, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, M G Top, Poshpatri and Panjtarni.
Along the Baltal route, four teams of ARTs, including three of SDRF and one of NDRF would be deployed at Neelgrath, Baltal, Sangam Top and at Baltal, the spokesman said.
He said 20 Dog Squads would be deployed by the army, State Police and CRPF along the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.
Along the Pahalgam route, two Dog Squads each would be positioned at Mirbazar, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Poshpatri, Panjtarni and Holy Cave, three at Pahalgam, one each at Nunwan, Zozibal and M G Top.
Along the Baltal route, one Dog Squad each would be positioned at Neelgrath and Baltal, the spokesman said.
