Guv reviews Amarnath yatra arrangements

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 28

Governor NN Vohra, who is chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), visited Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar here today to meet all officers concerned and review arrangements being made for this year’s Amarnath yatra. The yatra will commence on July 2 along Baltal and Chandanwari routes.

Addressing a meeting of officers held at Yatri Niwas, the Governor reviewed various arrangements for the yatra from Lakhanpur check post onwards, including reception of yatris at the railway station and bus stand and requirements of accommodation, water, power, food, hygiene and sanitation etc.

He directed the divisional and district authorities and the Tourism Department to ensure satisfactory arrangements on all fronts, with attention to cleanliness, garbage disposal, medicare, transport etc. He directed them that cloak room facility be made available at Yatri Niwas for custody of yatris’ belongings.

The Governor asked the Divisional Commissioner and DIG to ensure that no unregistered pilgrim was allowed to proceed to the Valley and advise yatris to secure advance registration to avoid inconvenience.

He directed them that suitable transport arrangements should be made for ferrying yatris to Yatri Niwas and proper check be exercised on rates to be charged for such travel.

For the facilitation of yatris, the Governor desired that pamphlets containing complete guidance and information about available facilities, routes and distances, including those of nearby tourist destinations, be printed and distributed among arriving yatris from the Lakhanpur check post onwards.

The Governor directed the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to ensure provision of adequate arrangements for yatris at all transit camps to take care of both normal and emergency requirements.

The Governor was informed that the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, along with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SASB, held a detailed meeting on April 20 with representatives of all departments and agencies concerned with yatra arrangements in the Jammu division.

The Governor asked the IGP, Jammu zone, to effectively coordinate security arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the yatra. He asked the CEO, SASB, to urgently ensure large-scale publicity of yatra-related dos and don’ts and advisories through print and electronic media.

At present, Yatri Niwas has 13 dormitory halls with the capacity of accommodating 1,300 yatris, a food court and a shelter shed. Facilities of super bazar, BSNL facilitation centre, medical services, booking office of J&K SRTC and banking facility by J&K Bank will be made available to yatris here. The Governor took a round of Yatri Niwas complex and inspected facilities available.