When doctors advised Rajeshwari Shah to avoid long journeys after she met with a fatal accident six years ago, she thought her dream to visit the Amarnath cave would never be fulfiled. But the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation turned it into reality today.Shah was one of the six pilgrims who availed of the special chopper service between Srinagar and Amarnath introduced by JKTDC .The JKTDC has hired a special BHEL model chopper from the state government on lease. Each pilgrim is charged Rs 19,999 for the trip, which is inclusive of lodging and refreshments. While most pilgrims prefer to trek for three days to reach the shrine, the chopper service has come as a blessing for those who cannot undertake the yatra on foot.Poonam, who was among the six who took the chopper, said this was her fourth visit. Aziz Wani, managing director, JKTDC, said: ‘‘We are getting a lot of enquiries about bookings. If the number of devotees increases, we might get more choppers.’’J-K may extend yatraSRINAGAR: J-K government is likely to extend the Amarnath yatra by 10 to 15 days only, a move not acceptable to the Congress whose four ministers have resigned to press for allowing the pilgrimage to go on for two months. CM Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and Governor S.K. Sinha met on Saturday to discuss the issue, sources said. Congress sources said its J-K PCC chief Ghulam Nabi Azad was rushing to Srinagar on Monday to thrash out a solution. — (PTI)
