Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 21: Governor N.N. Vohra, Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, today reviewed arrangements for the forthcoming Yatra, which is scheduled to commence on June 28 and conclude on August 26.
The review meeting was attended by Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board; Bhupinder Kumar, Additional Chief Executive Officer; R.K. Pandita, General Manager (Works) SASB and other concerned officers of the Shrine Board.
In regard to the status of Advance Yatra Registration, Governor was informed that it commenced on March 1 through 440 bank branches of Punjab National Bank (PNB), Jammu and Kashmir Bank and YES Bank spread in 32 States/ UTs all over the country. In addition registration facility has been provided to ex-India pilgrims through PNB and for groups through the group registration facility through Shrine Board. CEO informed that about sixty thousand intending Yatris have already been registered as on date with a majority from Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Gujarat. Governor directed CEO to obtain the daily reports of registration and promptly address the issues of intending Yatris with regard to registration by effectively co-ordinating with the banks.
Governor was given a detailed briefing about the arrangements being made in the Yatra area from Pahalgam as well as Baltal. These include facilities to be put in place for supplying power, water supply through permanently laid water pipes and medical facilities in the entire Yatra area.
CEO informed the Governor that Chief Secretary, Shri B.B. Vyas has recently chaired the meeting of the High level Committee to review the implementation of various key projects and arrangements being planned for smooth conduct of Amarnathji Yatra 2018. It was further informed that a SOP is being formulated by the Animal and Sheep Husbandry for the health check-up of ponies/horses before their registration in the Yatra to ensure that only healthy animals are registered.
Stressing the need for timely clearance of snow bound tracks and camps in the Yatra area, the Governor directed CEO to closely monitor restoration and improvement works which are being executed by various Government agencies.
While emphasizing on the sanitation arrangements during Yatra, Governor was informed about the steps being taken by the Shrine Board in co-ordination with the District Administration of Anantnag and Ganderbal, Pahalgam and Sonamarg Development Authority and Municipal Committee of Pahalgam for the proper collection and disposal of solid wastes which would be generated during the Yatra.
Governor impressed upon the need to have more dust-bins en-route Holy Cave and stressed upon the Works Wing of the Shrine Board to strictly monitor on daily basis the sanitation arrangements, smooth operation of STPs at Pahalgam and Baltal and ensure that there is daily collection and disposal of garbage and maintenance of cleanliness in all the camps.
Governor further directed that the preservation of ecology and environment should be accorded highest priority and all the necessary arrangements be put in place well before the commencement of Yatra.
In order to sensitize the yatris about the cleanliness; Governor stressed that signages be put in the Yatra area at conspicuous locations for the awareness of Yatris and to discourage use of plastics.
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