Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 23: Governor N N Vohra, who is also Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), has called for continuing attention for progressive improvement of the facilities provided to the pilgrims of Swami Amarnath Ji.
The Governor, while chairing the meeting of (SASB) at Raj Bhavan, Srinagar today stressed on improvement of facilities to the pilgrims embarking on annual pilgrimage.
The Board meeting was attended by Dr (Prof) Ved Kumari Ghai, Pt Bhajan Sopori, D C Raina and Dr Chander Mouli Raina, all members of the Board. Besides, Umang Narula, CEO of the Board, Bhupinder Kumar, its Additional CEO and other officers of the Board also attended the meeting.
While discussing the demand made by Shri Amarnathji Barfani Langer Organisation (SABLO) which had requested that the duration of the yatra be reduced to 30 days only, the Board decided to put this demand in public domain.
Earlier in a presentation made before the Board, SABLO had stressed that the pilgrimage data for the past five years showed that more than 90% of the Yatris perform “Darshan” in the first 30 days. On the basis of the same, SABLO had demanded that the period of Yatra should be limited to 30 days only.
Taking note of SABLO’s demand, the Board observed that this important issue needs to be placed in the public domain and discussed further.
The Board was apprised about various steps taken for improving and enhancing the facilities for convenience of the pilgrims which included upgradation of the tracks from Baltal to Domel; upgrading of Neelgrath to Baltal Road (7 Kms); erecting railings (6.6. kms) on the Baltal route and on the Chandanwari route (4.75 kms) and development of resting places along the tracks.
The CEO of the Board Umang Narula informed the Board that State PWD and Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) have been maintaining the Baltal and Pahalgam tracks, respectively, and devoting attention to widening tracks and erecting railings at all vulnerable places. The Governor directed, the CEO to ensure that the remaining work is taken up in the post Yatra period, immediately after conclusion of the Yatra on August, 26.
The CEO informed the Board that as part of new initiatives to introduce the latest technologies in the field of Environmental Solutions, the existing Sewage Treatment Plant at Nunwan base camp has been upgraded (using Moving Bio Bed Reactor Technology) to 300 KLD capacity and made operational during the current Yatra; 18 bio-bins (12 on Baltal axis and 6 on Pahalgam axis) installed at various locations for composting of Bio-degradable waste where adequate consortium treatment takes place; 5 plastic septic tanks on pilot basis, each with capacity of 1000 litres, have been installed at lower holy cave in addition to cess pits to prevent leaching of effluent into the river; 2 Reverse Vending Machines which efficiently shred plastic bottles into fine pieces have been installed at Sonamarg and Baltal through District Administration Ganderbal.
The CEO further informed that this year the Board has installed 2749 Toilet units, 515 Bath units, and 98 Bottle Catchers in the Yatra area. Further, the Camp Directors have been instructed to effectively ensure sanitation and hygiene in the camps through daily monitoring and inspections of the camps, toilets and baths.
He informed that important Yatra related information, particularly about Do’s and Don’ts to be followed by the Yatris, has been publicized through Doordarshan, FM Channels, All India Radio and Press Information Bureau by broadcasting Documentary Film, Video Spots, and Audio Spots prepared by the Shrine Board.
The Board has also introduced a Short Code Telephone Number 1364, obtained from BSNL, enabling the intending pilgrims to easily remember a four-digit number for seeking information or assistance in regard to their Yatra.
Further, all registered Yatris are being informed about the Do’s and Dont’s, health advisory, weather forecasts and other advisories relating to the Yatra through the SMS service. Till now, about 7.50 lakh SMS messages, including in Hindi, have been sent to the registered Yatris through NIC’s Bulk SMS facility.
The Board members were apprised that the laying of Optical Fibre Cable along both the Yatra routes, under Army’s Project Kranti, has strengthened the telecommunication facilities being provided by the BSNL.
The availability of bandwidth of the mobile towers as well as the number of channels in the BTSs has been increased at Baltal, holy cave, and Panjtarni and this has resulted in improved voice calls and higher data speed.
Meanwhile, on the 26th day of darshan today, over 4,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at holy cave situated at an altitude of 3880 meters in South Kashmir district of Anantnag.
According to an officer on yatra duty, 4,379 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country paid obeisance at cave shrine today. Till date 2,40,536 pilgrims have performed darshan at holy cave, he added.
The officer said among them majority have returned to their home states while others are on way.
The officer said that chopper service to holy cave from Baltal and Pahalgam remained disturbed due to bad weather and inclement rains today in the yatra area.
He said only 18 pilgrims left for holy cave by chopper today while 1358 left from Baltal track to cave shrine early this morning by foot.
He said it was intermittently raining in the holy cave area during the day but the yatra proceeded smoothly.
He said about 5000 pilgrims are camping at Baltal base camp for the night. They include those who returned from holy cave after performing darshan today, he added.
The officer said 1550 pilgrims left from Chandanwari track to holy cave this morning while 22 pilgrims left via chopper from Pahalgam to holy cave.
He said the pilgrims having night halt at Sheshnag and Panjtarni halting stations also left for their onwards sojourn early this morning.
According to Arun Manhas Yatra Nodal Officer, Jammu, 1208 pilgrims left for twin base camps of Nunwan-Pahalgam and Baltal from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early this morning under tight security measures.
He said these pilgrims will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning from the respective base camps.
He said 830 pilgrims including 83 Sadhus were registered at three registration counters in Jammu today.
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