NDRF to identify ideal locations for yatri camps
Army to man heights along with CAPFs
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 16: Extraordinary arrangements are being made by the Central and Union Territory Governments this year for 62-day long annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji in South Kashmir Himalayas with advanced involvement of Indian Air Force (IAF), Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies of the Centre as well as UT administration.
While security arrangements for the pilgrimage have already been reviewed at very high-level by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and top brass of Army, Central Armed Police Forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police and civil administration; sources said it has now been decided that the Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters will be deployed along twin track of Shri Amarnath Ji yatra including Pahalgam and Baltal for carrying out air sorties in upper reaches of holy cave located at the height of about 13,000 feet from seal level in South Kashmir Himalayas.
“The air sorties will be conducted to check glacial events including formation of lakes that trigger flash floods,” official sources told the Excelsior and said this is being done as last year flash floods had washed away tents of the pilgrims near the cave shrine leading to death of 16 yatris and suspension of pilgrimage for few days.
Following floods, the track had to be repaired afresh before resumption of the pilgrimage.
The air sorties will be conducted ahead of the annual as well as during 62-day long yatra from July 1 to August 31, sources said. This year the yatra will last 62 days
They said the National Disaster Response force (NDRF) will be pressed into services, also well in advance, to identify ideal locations for setting up pilgrim camps. This, as per the sources, will be done to ensure that pilgrims camps are located at much safer areas which are not affected or less affected in case of heavy rains.
The aerial surveys may be conducted by a team with expertise in remote sensing and satellite, hydrology and disaster response. Once a dangerous water build-up is spotted, contingency measures will be taken all along the pilgrimage route, especially in the areas near the cave shrine, they added.
Earlier, a lot of snow has been found along both the tracks – Baltal and Pahalgam – leading to the holy cave. However, the Border Roads Organization has been engaged to clear snow well before start of the yatra on July 1. As per the officials, work on clearance and maintenance of tracks is in full swing which will be followed by deployment of Army, paramilitary and police personnel.
Army will be manning heights of the cave shrine, twin tracks from Chandanwari and Baltal besides securing Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Pathankot National Highways.
Nearly 500 companies of paramilitary forces including those already deployed here for anti-militancy operations and maintenance of law and order, additional forces sent by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP) are being deployed for protection of Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims as the UT Government is expecting heavy rush of pilgrims this year due to 62-day long yatra.
Meanwhile, more than 2,900 people, who transport pilgrims on ponies, pithus and palkis during the Amarnath Yatra, have registered for extension of services ahead of the annual pilgrimage to the cave shrine.
The Reasi Assistant Labour Commissioner (ALC) said the registration process was on from last week after the department invited the service providers who are residents of Reasi.
“As many as 125 pony wallas, 1,046 pitthu wallas and 1,733 palki wallas have been registered till date. A total of 2,904 people have been registered,” the ALC said.
HC allows temporary constructions for Yatra
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 16: The High Court today allowed the Government to raise temporary structures in and around Sonamarg tourist resort for facilitation and convenience of pilgrims of Amarnath Yatra and directed for their demolition on completion of Yatra.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Moksha Kazmi while allowing the only temporary construction observed that any construction or renovation may have serious implication for preservation of environment and ecology of the resort, however, considering the upcoming Amarnath Yatra only temporary structures are permitted to be raised.
Court said since the matter pertains to important environment issues relating to preservation of Sonamarg and before considering the ban order passed by the court on March 27 this year but in order to provide convenient provisions and facilities for the large number of pilgrims ‘Only temporary structures’ meant for the convenient transit of the yatris and pilgrims are permitted to be raised.
Court has also clarified that on completion of the Yatra the structures shall be liable to be demolished by resorting to the earlier position in the field. “Accordingly, the aforesaid order dated 27.3.2023 passed by this court is modified only for the aforesaid period till the conclusion of Amarnath yatra of this year”, read the order.
It is noted that the Court in view of unabated construction in and around the famous tourist resort Sonamarg had directed that all constructional activities in the area shall be strictly as per Master Plan and directed for no construction without building permission by SDA.
The court directed the Forest Department and Wildlife Department to update their response to the PIL as they are important stakeholders to the preservation of the environment at Sonamarg.
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