NEW DELHI, Dec 5:
The Supreme Court today asked Jammu and Kashmir Government and Amarnath Shrine Board to broaden the passage leading to holy Amarnath cave shrine and bifurcate it to make separate way for the movement of pedestrian pilgrims and those who go there on horses.
A bench of Justices B S Chauhan and Swatanter Kumar asked the State Government to give urgent attention to medical, toilet, road and other facilities to the pilgrims and put rubber tiles on the passage near holy caves to prevent pilgrims slipping on road.
The Court reserved its order after hearing extensive arguments and said that it would pass a detailed order next week.
The Court had taken suo moto cognisance of media reports on pilgrims’ deaths allegedly due to lack of proper facilities and medical care for them.
The apex court had earlier appointed a high-power committee to look into the issue of growing number of casualties of Amarnath pilgrims.
The committee comprised Secretaries of various departments including those from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Home Affairs, Health and Child Welfare, besides the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary.
The Court had asked the committee to visit the shrine and give the report to J&K Governor, who is also the chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), responsible for holding the Amarnath pilgrimage.
About 6.20 lakh pilgrims undertook the Amarnath Yatra this year, which saw 93 casualties.
A battery of lawyers appeared for different stake holders before the Supreme Court during today’s arguments. Siddartha Luthra, ASG and others appeared for the Union of India while M I Qadri, Advocate General and others appeared for Jammu and Kashmir Government.
UK Jalali and others appeared for the SASB, M N Krishnamani, Senior Advocate represented Shiv Sewa Samiti and Rekha Palli and others appeared for Piramal Healthcare, which was also an applicant along with Shiv Sewa Samiti.
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