Jammu and Kashmir government today said first batch of Amarnath yatra pilgrims would leave for the holy shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas from Jammu base camp on June 28.

"First batch of Amarnath yatris would leave yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar-base camp in Jammu on June 28" Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Pawan Kotwal said today.

Kotwal today reviewed the yatra arrangements at an officers meeting at yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar Jammu. All the arrangements, including security, for the smooth conduct of yatra are being put in place, he said.

These include identity cards to the yatris, their transportation, drinking water and power supply at the Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar and other lodging sites spread across the city, sanitation and health check facilities and regulation of prices of essential commodities and other eatables. Over 2.25 lakh pilgrims have registered so far for the yatra.

Pilgrims trekking to the shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas will now stay connected with BSNL extending its mobile coverage area to both routes leading to the cave."BSNL's mobile coverage is now available on the entire Amarnath yatra route in Jammu and Kashmir," a BSNL official said.BSNL is the first mobile operator in the state to extend the coverage area to the 3880-metre high cave shrine which is covered with snow for most part of the year.