Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 5: A deputation of Baba Amarnath and Buda Amarnath Yatri Niyas (BABAYN) led by its president, Surinder Mohan Aggarwal met Umang Narula , Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) and discussed Shri Amarnath Yatra 2018 and also the arrangements for Shri Amarnath Yatra 2019 with him.
The other members of the delegation were Suresh Gupta, Trustee, Shakti Dutt Sharma vice president, Karan Singh Charak general secretary, Sudershan Khajuria joint general secretary, Anoop Mittal, secretary of the Yatri Niyas which discussed the issue in detail and also handed over a copy of the suggestion and demands to the Chief Executive Officer, SASB.
The Niyas demanded that Pratham Pooja for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra on Jyesth Poornima should be conducted at holy cave and the current registration quota should be increased in view of the facilities provided in the Yatra route.
SASB should form a Co-ordination Committee which included representatives from SASB, Langar operators and service providers with at least one meeting in a week at the time of Yatra at both base camps i.e Baltal and Pahalgam. It demanded the construction of rope ways on both routes of Yatra i.e Baltal to holy cave and Chandan Wari to holy cave.
It further demanded that SASB should consider the opening of new routes from Kargil-Zozila and Kishtwar-Dacchan routes. This will boost the economy of the area and also provide shortest routes to the pilgrims, the delegation added .
Besides, the Niyas demanded construction of Yatri Bhawan at Pahalgam to cater the needs of Yatris and Sadhus during the Yatra. After the Yatra, the Bhawan should be used for social activities and benefit of the local population.
It urged the SASB that it should ask the State Government to construct permanent structures right from Lakahanpur to Baltal/Pahalgam so in case of bad weather or any other circumstances yatris can take refuge there.
The Chief Executive Officer, SASB patiently heard the demands/suggestions and assured the deputation that every efforts shall be made to fullfill the demands.