Barcode-Enabled Slips Issued to Amarnath pilgrims
Millions of people take on the pilgrimage to Amarnath every year. Thus, it has become quite difficult to keep track of all the people who are entering and exiting the holy site. Hence, the authorities have started to issue barcode-enabled slips. It will serve the purpose of keeping track of the actual number of people travelling to and from Amarnath.
Today was the day of departure for the first batch of pilgrims. They left from Baltal Base Camp near Sonmarg and embarked on the 46-day-long yatra. The Director of Baltal Base Camp, Krishan Lal said, “This is the first time Sri Amarnath Shrine Board has taken this kind of initiative for the security of the pilgrims. Now there are two systems to manage the total count of the pilgrims on the Amarnath Yatra. First is the traditional way of gathering information through banks. In this, there are a numerical number and barcode, which is being scanned and a database is maintained.”
He added, “Second is the online registration facility in which around 50 pilgrims can register. In the online forms, there is a different QR code for each person which is then added to our database. A team of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been deployed for this task. It is a great initiative as now it will be able to know exactly how many people have returned or are still in the track.”
A pilgrim sharing his views said, “We give the forms after filling our details to the CRPF personnel while crossing the gates. After being thoroughly checked, we are cleared to move on the journey. I am very happy with this security and this will encourage more people to come on the journey.”
This year’s Amarnath Yatra is surely marked with tight security. This has led to the implementation of barcode-enabled slips. These barcode-enabled slips will help in the times to come as well as they will ensure the safety of the pilgrims.
