Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 21: All arrangements relating to the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which is commencing from July 2, must be put in place well in time to ensure a comfortable pilgrimage for all those who visit the Shri Amarnathji Shrine this year.
Governor N.N. Vohra, who is Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), gave clear directions on these lines to all concerned authorities after inspecting the current status of arrangements being made at the Baltal Base Camp, Access Control Gate at Domel and at the Panjtarni Yatra Camp. The Governor called for close co-ordination amongst various agencies to ensure smooth conduct of Yatra and directed the Camp Directors to have regular daily meetings with all the stakeholders to ensure immediate resolution of all arising issues.
The Governor also directed the Camp Directors to set up a well equipped Information-cum-Assistance Booth at all the Camps for facilitating Yatries and supplying all required information.
Earlier, the Governor accompanied by P.K. Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the Baltal-Sangam-Panjtarni track. He visited Panjtarni Yatra Camp where, alongwith Lt. Gen. Subrata Saha, GOC 15 Corps and Maj. Gen. Arvind Dutta, GOC, Victor Force and senior officers of CRPF and BSF, he reviewed the security arrangements being made at this Camp as well as on the Panjtarni-Mahagunus axis and along the Panjtarni-Sangam-Holy Cave axis.
He also inspected the facilities being established for the hospital, shelter sheds, Langars, tents, pre-fabricated huts, toilets, baths etc. He was informed that in addition to 11 langars, 321 toilets/baths; 900 tents; and 50 shops are being set up at Panjtarni. The Governor was informed by Raman Kesar, Camp Director Panjtarni, that Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) has been asked to quickly complete the restoration of track and other remaining works.
The Governor also visited Domel Access Control Gate and went round the Baltal Base Camp where he held a meeting to review the progress of arrangements for the Yatra. The Governor was informed that the track from Baltal to Holy Cave has by and large been cleared and restoration of the remaining portions will be completed by next week.
The Governor was informed by the Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) regarding the measures being taken for the collection and disposal of wastes which will be generated during the Yatra. Arrangements for sanitation and cleanliness of areas within and outside Baltal Base Camp were also reviewed.
The CEO, SDA, informed that the SDA has established shelter sheds and toilet facilities at Domel Access Control Gate. The Governor directed the GM (Works) and GM (Sanitation) to ensure that all the toilets and baths, at every camp location, should be connected to proper waste disposal systems and foolproof arrangements are made for maintaining cleanliness of toilet facilities, at all times. The Governor was also informed that separate arrangements have been made for setting up Langar stores and stocking of LPG Cylinders and CAPD is making elaborate arrangements for stocking rice, atta, sugar, wheat bran and kerosene oil at all the camp locations.
The Governor asked BRO representative to ensure that the road leading to Baltal is restored immediately. The State PWD was also asked to expedite full restoration of WBM roads; Neelgrath-Baltal, Rangamorh-Baltal and Baltal- Domel. He was informed that the PHE Department has made arrangements for sprinkling water on the WBM roads.
Besides Lt. General S. Saha, GOC 15 Corps and Major General Arvind Dutta GOC Victor Force the review meeting at Baltal was attended by concerned officers of civil and police administration.
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