All set for start of yatra tomorrow
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 28: To ensure hassle -free yatra, the Government and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) have taken various measures for holy Amarnath pilgrimage commencing on July 1 this year. The 46-long yatra will culminate on August 15 -the day coinciding with Hindu festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
According to official sources, to ensure the yatra to holy cave should commence from both the tracks on the same day, the Baltal track has been made through and snow from the route has been cleared fully. While barring two to three places the snow on Chandanwari -Panchtarni track has also been cleared. However, the SASB authorities are confident of clearing the route within days as the work on the same is going on war footing basis, sources told Excelsior.
Meanwhile, first batch of yatra will leave Bhagwati Nagar base camp on June 30 morning and yatris from different parts of country have started reaching here. The Government has made elaborate security arrangements for pilgrims from Lakhanpur to holy cave. The multi tier security will be provided to yatra, sources said.
To avoid any trouble to pilgrims especially during closure of National Highway due to inclement weather or other problems, the Government has established additional transit camps from Jawahar Tunnel to Qazigund this time with all facilities for providing shelter to stranded pilgrims, sources said, adding that the accommodation facilities in already existing transit camps have also been increased this time.
Moreover, the roads leading to transit camps have been renovated at different places in Anantnag and Kulgam districts and the authorities have taken all measures that there should be no water logging on the link roads to transit camps or in front of the camps.
The Access Control Gate at Chandanwari, which was damaged has been renovated and the Oxygen booths have been established enroute to cave shrine. This time one more chopper has been added to the services for carrying of pilgrims from Chandanwari to holy cave taking the number to three, sources added.
District Development Commissioner, Anantnag, Khalid Jahangir who is also the Yatra Officer told Excelsior that all arrangements are in place and facilities for pilgrims have been increased this time by making various additional arrangements.
He said the road macadamization was done at Chandanwari and adequate number of doctors and para medical staff has been engaged at various camps for service of pilgrims.
Additional CEO, SASB, Anoop Kumar informed that Baltal track is through while there is snow on two to three places on Chandanwari route and same will be cleared within days.
He said as previous practice 7500 pilgrims will be allowed to holy cave daily from each track except the pilgrims visiting via chopper.
He said the langars have almost been installed on both the tracks to holy cave. The staff has been deployed on all camps as well as holy cave.
In Jammu the Tourism Department has installed the welcome gates for pilgrims at Lakhanpur, Jammu Railway Station and Jammu Bus Stand. The facilities have been improved at Jammu Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar also and cooling system for the pilgrims has been augmented by the Tourism Department. Out of 14 Dormitories having a capacity of accommodating 1400 pilgrims eight have been made air conditioned while six are non AC. Total 64 ACs have been installed at Yatri Niwas while the toilet and bath room facilities have also been increased there, sources said.
Sources said to maintain proper vigil and ensure security of pilgrims the Yatri Niwas has been fully sanitized. Besides, heavy deployment of security forces at Yatri Niwas 44 CCTVs have been established at various places to maintain proper check on the movement of unwanted and suspicious elements.
Sources said in addition to it there is a Central shed in which 200 persons can be accommodated. There is main hall in Yatri Niwas, which can also accommodate 200 to 250 additional pilgrims. Moreover, 24X7 service will be provided at Super Bazar, J&K Bank at Yatri Niwas. SRTC Booking Centre has been established and Joint Information cum Announcement Booth has also been established which will be jointly run by Information Department, Tourism Department and JK TDC.
Moreover, a bhajan sandhaya will also be held daily at Yatri Niwas. A Cloak -Room for pilgrims has been established at Yatri Niwas which will be handled by JKTDC, sources added.
Bedding sector will be outsourced at Yatri Niwas to provide additional bedding to pilgrims. Moreover, on spot registration begin from today at Vaishnavi Dham, Saraswati Dham and Mahajan Hall, sources added.
For the first time, the services of mobile toilets have been provided during this year’s yatra on National Highway from Jammu to Banihal and on Mughal road from Jammu to Peer Ki Gali. These toilets will be installed at a distance of every 30 kms. Food court has been set up at Yatri Niwas for pilgrims which will provide refreshment to pilgrims on reasonable rates.
At Yatri Niwas 90 bath rooms have been constructed while 159 toilet facilities have been provided for pilgrims. In addition to it 25 urinal points have also been installed at different places there. The power back up system is in place at Yatri Niwas with generator set.
At Transit Camps of Samba and Kathua shed type accommodation has been provided with Langer facilities.
Director Tourism Jammu, Om Parkash Bhagat, when contacted said all these facilities are in place and all departments are working in total coordination for providing better facilities to Amarnath pilgrims.
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