![[File] Pilgrims pass near the Sheshnag Lake on the way to the Amarnath cave shrine | PTI](https://img.theweek.in/content/dam/week/news/india/images/2018/7/11/amarnath-yatra-pti.jpg "[File] Pilgrims pass near the Sheshnag Lake on the way to the Amarnath cave shrine | PTI")
A historic 6-8 lakh pilgrims will take part in this year's Amarnath Yatra and take darshan of the Shiva Lingam at the cave shrine, a top government official said on Monday.
Apurva Chand, Secretary to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, however said that the challenge posed by the weather was out of hands of the officials.
“Today, I met officials of the administration including divisional commissioner and deputy commissioners. We were told that this year it will be a historic pilgrimage and for that all necessary arrangements have been put in place,” Chand told reporters in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.
Chand claimed that the security arrangements have already been improved, which is evident from the number of tourists visiting Kashmir.
Quoting J&K LG Manoj Sinha, the officer noted that tourism in Kashmir has witnessed a major boost and more than 80 lakh tourists have visited the UT. There has been an increase in bookings of hotels, houseboats and lodges, which hints at the peaceful atmosphere, he said.
Chand said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has asked the J&K administration to prepare a short documentary on the Amarnath Yatra and the scenic places of Kashmir.
“We will circulate the documentary across the country and outside,” he said
The annual pilgrimage has not been held for the last two years due to Covid-19 pandemic. In 2019, the yatra was cancelled midway due to the security situation following the abrogation of Article 370.
