Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 14 : Governor, N. N. Vohra, who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, reviewed all important aspects of the on-going Shri Amarnathji Yatra in a meeting held at the Raj Bhawan here today.
It was reported by the CEO, Navin K. Choudhary, that during the first 19 days of the Yatra, the movement of the pilgrims had to be stopped for given periods on seven days, due to bad weather, and, in all, 4,45,764 pilgrims had performed Darshan in this period, travelling along both the Chandanwari and Baltal routes.
From the reports received from the Directors of the Nunwan, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panjtarni, Baltal, Sangam and Holy Shrine Camps, it was observed that the day to day management of the camps has been proceeding smoothly.
He reported that from 25th June to 13th July a total of 74 lives had been lost of which 6 were due to accidents, including the case of drowning of a non-Yatri, and 68 due to different medical reasons. It was noted that 2 Yatris had died in hotels, 12 in hospitals and 2 on way to hospitals outside Yatra area. As reported by the Health Department as many as 1,85,259 pilgrims received treatment at the various Medical Aid Centres and Hospitals.
Of the total of 74 who lost their lives, 53 were in the 20 – 60 years age group, 16 in the 61-70 years group, 3 above 70 years and in 2 cases age could not be ascertained.
It is worthwhile to mention here that Chairman had reviewed all health related issues with Sham Lal Sharma, Health Minister and his officers, in a meeting held at Raj Bhawan on 9th July 2012.
Today, again, the Governor discussed the position with the Health Minister besides, with K. Rajendra, DGP, as issues of enforcement at the Control Gates are also involved.
DGP reported that checking was being effectively done, particularly in regard to complaints about fake health check certificates. Health Minister stated that the various Medical Centres in the camps, of different systems of Medicine, were being run satisfactorily and adequate supplies of oxygen cylinders have been assured.
Chairman asked CEO and Health Department to issue fresh advertisements in the newspapers to yet again appeal to the pilgrims to follow the health advisories and arrive for Yatra only after a thorough medical checkup along with a health certificate. After discussions, it was also decided that the Health Minister, along with DGP and CEO, will visit the Base Camps on 16th July for a fresh appraisal of issues relating to medical care.
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