Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, July 30: Governor N N Vohra, Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, reviewed the ongoing Shri Amarnathji Yatra which commenced on July 2, 2016.
The Governor was informed that till July 29, 2016, 2,59,948 pilgrims had been registered through 432 branches of Punjab National Bank, J&K Bank and YES Bank located in 32 States and UTs and 56,474 Yatris secured registration at the On-spot Registration Counters which have been set up at Jammu and Srinagar. Till July 29, total 2,11,707 pilgrims had Darshan at the Holy Cave.
The Governor has directed CEO to direct Additional CEO, General Manager (Works) and General Manager (Sanitation) to visit all the Yatra Camps, from August 1 onwards along with representatives of the PDA and PWD (R&B) to closely review the management of sanitation and solid wastes in each Camp and along the tracks and a Cleanliness Drive should be launched. The Shrine Board team has also been directed to review the preparedness of the concerned departments to undertake the remaining works after the Yatra concludes on August 18.
The Governor has directed CEO to personally review and obtain feedback from each of the various stakeholders, State Government departments and Camp Directors regarding the improvements required to be carried out for Yatra 2017.
The Governor also directed CEO to ensure complete cleaning up of all Camp sites and to also start preparing a Camp wise and route-wise Action Plan for Yatra 2017, keeping in view the experiences gained during this year’s pilgrimage.
In the context of the recent developments in the Valley, Governor has directed the DGP to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and security of the pilgrims and instructed the CEO to re-iterate advise to the pilgrims to strictly follow the instructions issued by the local authorities and not move away on their own from the secured areas.
The Governor has directed CEO to yet again caution all potential pilgrims to take into account the harsh climatic and terrain conditions in the high altitude Yatra area and prepare themselves fully before embarking on the pilgrimage.
CEO informed the Governor that till date 16 Yatris and 2 Service Providers had lost their lives in the Yatra area due to medical reasons and 2 Yatris have died due to a bus accident at Chandanwari. With a view to ensure timely medical services to Yatris, a total of 67 Medical Camps have been setup on the two Yatra routes. The State Health Department has established 5 Base Hospitals, 9 Medical Aid Centers, 14 Emergency Aid Centers and 8 Medical Camps of Indian System of Medicines in the Yatra area. In addition, Army has established 6 Medical Camps, BSF 10, CRPF 10, SSB 2, ITBP 1, J&K Police 1 and NGOs 4 in the Yatra area. For the first time, the State Health Department has set up 6 special Oxygen Kiosks (with oxygen concentrator) at critical locations viz between Wavbal and MG Top; between Panjtarni and Sangam top; between Sangam Down and Sangam Top; at Lower Cave; between Lower Holy Cave and Kalimata top; and at the start of Holy Cave Stairs. These oxygen Kiosks are in addition to Oxygen concentrators which are available at each Base Hospital.
To provide specialized medical treatment, Doctors and paramedics have also been deployed by Union Health Ministry from various prestigious hospitals which include AIIMS, Safdarjung and RML Hospital in Delhi and PGI, Chandigarh, besides those deputed by the States of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana to provide Medical Care facilities in the Yatra area.
The Shrine Board has made arrangements for providing immediate help and in rescuing Yatris in distress. 8 Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs), each comprising 10 highly trained personnel of the State Police, have been located at various vulnerable places enroute Holy Cave to undertake immediate evacuation of any Yatri in trouble. Besides, 10 teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and 02 MRTs of CRPF have also been deployed in the Yata area at vulnerable locations to assist Yatris. Critically injured and sick Yatris, Service Providers and others are also assisted by timely evacuation including by choppers from the higher altitude camps to the lower camps to enable provision of adequate medical attention.
About sanitation arrangements in the Yatra area, the Governor was informed that for the convenience of the pilgrims and to meet the requirements of Service Providers, a total of 2634 Toilets (2283 Indian type and 351 European type) and 455 Baths have been installed in the Yatra area. The sanitation arrangements of the toilets and baths are being monitored on daily basis.