Governor reviews arrangements, pays visit to yatra camps

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 29

Governor NN Vohra, who is Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), today conducted aerial reconnaissance of the Pahalgam-Panjtarni route.

He visited Panjtarni, Sheshnag and Baltal yatra camps and the check barrier at Domel to review preparedness for the yatra. He was accompanied by PK Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer of the SASB.

The Governor was briefed about the upgrade of the track on holy cave-Panjtarni-Sheshnag sector and Pissu Top-Sheshnag-Panjtarni sector, security arrangements and facilities being established for medical availability, shelter sheds, langars, tents, shops, pre-fabricated huts, toilets and baths.

The Governor held discussions with senior officers of the Army, J&K Police, CRPF, BSF, NDRF, SDRF and the leader of Mountain Rescue Team regarding arrangements being made on and along the tracks for smooth conduct of the yatra from July 2.

Inspecting the camps, the Governor directed camp directors and other officials to ensure close coordination among various agencies involved in the management of the yatra.

He directed them to have regular meetings every morning and evening with all security agencies, various departments and other stakeholders to ensure immediate resolution of any arising problem. He directed them to ensure cleanliness and effective sanitation within camp areas.

The Governor directed the departments concerned, particularly the Pahalgam Development Authority, to speed up ongoing work on the Chandanwari-Pissu Top-Sheshnag-Mahagunus Top-Poshpatri-Panjtarni track to ensure that yatris did not face any inconvenience along the tracks. He stressed completion of ongoing railing erection work at all vulnerable stretches along both tracks.

The Governor was informed that in addition to nine langars, 279 toilets and 33 baths, 800 tents and 50 shops were being set up at Sheshnag. Arrangements had been made for stocking LPG cylinders, rice, atta, sugar, wheat bran and kerosene at the camp.

The Governor was informed that water and electricity supply and telephones were functional at the camp. Elaborate arrangements had been made for medical facilities to yatris by setting up the base hospital. Medical camps were being set up by the ISM, Army, BSF and CRPF.

The Health Department would set up emergency aid centre (EAC) between Sheshnag and Wavbal Top. The BSF and State Health Department (SHD) would set up EAC at Wavbal Top and MG Top, respectively.

Reviewing security arrangements and other facilities being made at the Panjtarni camp, the Governor was informed that in addition to 10 langars, 353 toilets and baths, 900 tents and 50 shops were being set up.

For providing medical facilities on this axis, the SHD would set up a base hospital at Panjtarni and medical camps would be set up by ISM, BSF and CRPF.

At Baltal, the Governor was informed that 400 toilets and 100 baths had been installed at Baltal base camp and 300 toilets and 50 baths installed between Ranga Morh and Domel. Till date, nine langars had been set up at Baltal case camp and 25 langars at Domel.

The Governor visited the access control gate at Domel and reviewed the arrangements made for regulating the movement of yatris.

The Governor was informed that elaborate arrangements had been made for medical facilities to yatris. A 20-bedded hospital had been set up at Baltal at the old helipad, where specialist doctors would be stationed.

X-ray and pathological laboratory facilities would be available at the base hospital. An MAC had been set up at Domel and a medical dispensary at the Neelgrath helipad.

To help the old, infirm and sick yatris in negotiating difficult stretches, eight mountain rescue teams (MRTs), each comprising 10 police personnel, would be deployed at Sheshnag, Wavbal, Poshpathri, Kelnar, Sangam, lower holy cave, Railpathri and Brari Marg. Two MRTs of the CRPF would be stationed at Domel and Panjtarni.

The Governor was informed that 10 teams of the SDRF would be deployed at Chandanwari, Pissu Top, Zojibal-Nagakoti, Sheshnag, MG Top, Panjtarni, holy cave, Baltal, Brari Marg and Sangam.

Four NDRF teams would be deployed at Baltal, Panjtarni, Pahalgam and Sheshnag. A total of 36 dog squads of the Army, CRPF, BSF and police would be deployed at various locations.