Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 1: Governor N N Vohra, Chairman, alongwith P.K. Tripathi, CEO, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, conducted an aerial survey of the entire Shri Amarnathji Yatra area, along both the routes. He travelled along the Baltal-Domel-Sangam-Panjtarni-Sheshnag-Chandanwari-Pahalgam axis to gain a first hand view of the existing snow accumulation levels.
As of now, the Yatra Camp sites at Holy Cave, Panjtarni and Sheshnag are covered with 6-7 feet of snow and the tracks, from Chandanwari onwards on the Pahalgam axis and from Domel onwards from the Baltal axis would require major clearing and repairs.
The restoration of tracks on the Chandanwari-Holy Cave axis is being taken up by the Pahalgam Development Authority and by the State PWD on the Baltal-Shrine axis. This important work shall be able to gain the required momentum, depending upon sustained fair weather conditions. The Governor impressed upon the concerned agencies to immediately increase the ongoing work and ensure that the tracks are cleared of the snow and all the facilities required for the Yatra are put in place well in time.
During his day long visit to the Yatra area, after completing the aerial recce the Governor held review meetings with Showkat Aijaz Bhat, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal and Bashir Ahmad Khan, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag; at the Baltal and Nunwan Base Camps.The Governor directed the Labour and Animal Husbandry Departments to ensure the proper registration of Ponies and the Pony-wallas, Dandi-wallas, Palki-wallas and authorized labour.
The Governor discussed arrangements regarding the provision of safety measures at the Nunwan and the Baltal Base Camps, particularly fire and emergency services and setting up of a Joint Control Room, and directed CEO to ensure that all Camp Directors were fully oriented to enforce the required day to day discipline.
The Governor directed the GM (Works) to ensure that all the toilets and baths, at every Camp location, should be connected to proper waste disposal systems and foolproof arrangements are made for maintaining cleanliness of toilet facilities, at all times.
The CEOs of the Pahalgam and the Sonamarg Development Authorities would be responsible for making effective arrangements for the daily collection of all garbage which would then be dumped only at the sites which have been identified by the Deputy Commissioners in consultation with the State Government Protection authorities.
While reviewing the arrangements for the provision of medical facilities for the pilgrims, the Governor directed the Deputy Commissioners and the Chief Medical Officers of Anantnag and Ganderbal districts to ensure that every medical camp was equipped with adequate medical and para-medical manpower, equipments, medicines and other requirements. He also directed that every medical centre should have proper toilet facilities and water supply.
The Governor was informed that the PHE Department has since completed the work of laying underground pipes for water supply at the Baltal, Nunwan and Sheshnag Camps. The Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag and Ganderbal districts informed him that the work relating to grant of permissions for the setting up of tents and shops in the Camp areas has been almost completed, in a fully transparent manner by drawing lots. The Governor directed the Deputy Commissioners to particularly ensure that Lay Out Plans prepared for all the Camp locations are strictly adhered to and tents, shops and Langars are pitched strictly as per the lay out on the ground. He also directed that while marking the Lay Out Plan on the ground it must be ensured that adequate fire gaps are provided and, further, the quality of the tents must be examined before they are pitched.
The Governor stressed on the Police officers to ensure that all regulatory measures are most strictly enforced to ensure that all registered Yatris are enabled to cross the Access Control Gates at Chandanwari and Baltal without any inconvenience. The CAPD officials informed the Governor that adequate arrangements are being made for stocking rations, fire-wood and fuels for the coming Yatra.
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