Governor inspects Baltal camp

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 22

Governor NN Vohra, chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, on Sunday visited the Baltal base camp, Domel Access Control Gate and Neelgrath helipad to gain first-hand assessment of the ongoing pilgrimage and the difficulties, if any, being faced by the pilgrims.

He was accompanied by additional chief executive officer (CEO) of the shrine board Bhupinder Singh, Ganderbal Deputy Commissioner Piyush Singla and SSP Fayaz Ahmad Lone.

At the Baltal camp, the Governor visited the base hospital where he met doctors from Delhi and Rajasthan who are serving this 40-bed medical unit since June 28. He also visited a few langar halls and shrine board huts and reviewed the functioning of the sewage treatment plant at the base camp. Vohra devoted considerable time to review the sanitation and cleanliness arrangements within and outside the camp and gave directions to the additional CEO, general manager (works), general manager (sanitation) and camp director regarding further actions to be taken by them to enhance cleanliness.

Later, at a meeting with camp directors and all officers involved in the conduct of the yatra, the Governor particularly reviewed the sanitation arrangements, functioning of sewage treatment plant, water and power supplies, functioning of medical units and langars and availability of essential commodities, etc.

Vohra reiterated his earlier directions to the camp directors on the need to ensure effective maintenance of sanitation in all the camps in the yatra area besides, complete cleanliness along both the routes. He directed the camp directors and the officers concerned of the district administration to ensure that there was no impediment in the pilgrimage till its conclusion on August 26.

He also inspected the heli-operations at the Neelgrath helipad and enquired about the services from the pilgrims.

Considering the progressive decline in the strength of the pilgrimage, the Governor shall be taking a meeting next week, involving security forces, regarding the management of the pilgrimage during the remaining period.

Takes stock of sanitation arrangements 

• At the Baltal camp, Governor NN Vohra visited the base hospital where he met doctors from Delhi and Rajasthan who are serving this 40-bed medical unit since June 28.  
• At a meeting with camp directors and all officers involved in the conduct of the yatra, the Governor particularly reviewed the sanitation arrangements, functioning of sewage treatment plant, water and power supplies, functioning of medical units and langars and availability of essential commodities, etc.

6,150 pilgrims visit Amarnath shrine 

Srinagar: On the 25th day of the ongoing Amarnath yatra, 6,150 pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine on Sunday. With this, a total of 2,36,157 pilgrims have had the darshan of the ‘Shivlingam’ at the cave shrine so far this year. TNS