Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 30: Dogra Sadar Sabha has suggested the Government to facilitate the stranded Amarnath pilgrims to visit historic shrines and temples in Jammu.
While addressing a press conference, here today, Dogra Sadar Sabha President and former minister Gulchain Singh Charak appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and the local administration to make all possible arrangements during the Yatra to expose the stranded pilgrims to different religious and historically important temples and pilgrim centers in Duggar Pradesh dedicated to Bhagwan Shiv, like Purmandal/Utterbehni in Samba, Shiv Khori in Reasi, Devika and Sudh Mahadev in Udhampur.
He demanded that the Government should make free transport arrangements for the purpose by providing an adequate number of buses and also good camping facilities for the pilgrims at suitable sites. He further suggested that enroute, tours should be organised for the pilgrims to the places of tourist interest like Veer Bhumi Park Samba, Mansar and Surinsar lakes, flower parks Chattha, Balidan Stambh at Jammu, Jamvant Gufa, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, Jumbo Zoo and other nearby places. These measures will go a long way in promoting the tourism sector of Jammu region, he added.
The Sabha President reiterated the request to Lt Governor for speedy construction of the “Srinagar Balidan Stambh” at Pratap Park that would multiply national tourism as another pilgrimage to Srinagar by those families who will have names of their bread earners enshrined in the Memorial. He requested for an additional dimension to the Srinagar memorial by erecting a Wall of Honour with names of all terror victims killed by terrorists since 1989 onwards. That would not only be a honourable tribute but bring some solace to the bereaved families and keep them connected to their roots, he added.
Extending all possible support to the Amarnath pilgrims, Charak assured on behalf of Dogra Sahayita Kendra, ‘Dogra Education Trust’ and ‘Shree Laxmi Narayan Mandir Management Trust’ Gandhi Nagar Jammu to provide a free Ambulance service for emergency use of pilgrims. “Masks, sanitizers, water & food packets etc will also be provided to the needy pilgrims, who can seek any assistance by dialing Helpline Number 0191-2543589,” he added.
Prominent among others present during the press conference, included Prem Sagar Gupta, Col Dr Virendera K Sahi, Gambir Dev Singh Charak, Amanat Ali Shah, Ravi Singh Slathia, Janak Khajuria and Chhankar Singh.