Governor reviews Shri Amarnathji Yatra arrangements at Panjtarni and Baltal

Srinagar, June 21 (Scoop News)-All arrangements relating to the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which is commencing from 2nd July, 2015, must be put in place well in time to ensure a comfortable pilgrimage for all those who visit the Shri Amarnathji Shrine this year. Governor N.N. Vohra, who is Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), gave clear directions on these lines to all concerned authorities after inspecting the current status of arrangements being made at the Baltal Base Camp, Access Control Gate at Domel and at the Panjtarni Yatra Camp. The Governor called for close co-ordination amongst various agencies to ensure smooth conduct of Yatra and directed the Camp Directors to have regular daily meetings with all the stakeholders to ensure immediate resolution of all arising issues. The Governor also directed the Camp Directors to set up a well equipped Information-cum-Assistance Booth at all the Camps for facilitating Yatries and supplying all required information.
Earlier, the Governor accompanied by P.K. Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the Baltal–Sangam–Panjtarni track. He visited Panjtarni Yatra Camp where, alongwith Lt. Gen. Subrata Saha, GOC 15 Corps and Maj. Gen. Arvind Dutta, GOC, Victor Force and senior officers of CRPF and BSF, he reviewed the security arrangements being made at this Camp as well as on the Panjtarni–Mahagunus axis and along the Panjtarni–Sangam–Holy Cave axis. He also inspected the facilities being established for the hospital, shelter sheds, Langars, tents, pre-fabricated huts, toilets, baths etc. He was informed that in addition to 11 langars, 321 toilets/baths; 900 tents; and 50 shops are being set up at Panjtarni. The Governor was informed by Raman Kesar, Camp Director Panjtarni, that Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) has been asked to quickly complete the restoration of track and other remaining works.
The Governor also visited Domel Access Control Gate and went round the Baltal Base Camp where he held a meeting to review the progress of arrangements for the Yatra. The Governor was informed that the track from Baltal to Holy Cave has by and large been cleared and restoration of the remaining portions will be completed by next week.
The Labour and Animal Husbandry Departments informed that registration of Ponies, Pony-wallas, Dandi-wallas and Palki-wallas, being carried out at Sonamarg, would gather momentum in the next few days. To-date status of safety measures at the Baltal Camp, particularly Fire and Emergency Services and Joint Control Room, were also discussed in detail. The Governor directed the DC and SP Ganderbal and the Camp Director Baltal to ensure that a mock drill is organized to ensure proper functioning of fire safety arrangements.
The Governor was informed by the Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) regarding the measures being taken for the collection and disposal of wastes which will be generated during the Yatra. Arrangements for sanitation and cleanliness of areas within and outside Baltal Base Camp were also reviewed. The CEO, SDA, informed that the SDA has established shelter sheds and toilet facilities at Domel Access Control Gate. The Governor directed the GM (Works) and GM (Sanitation) 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 Governor was also informed that separate arrangements have been made for setting up Langar stores and stocking of LPG Cylinders and CAPD is making elaborate arrangements for stocking rice, atta, sugar, wheat bran and kerosene oil at all the Camp locations.
The Governor was informed that water supply, power supply and telephones are now functional at Baltal and Domel and work is ongoing for providing telecommunication facilities at the upper Camps. J&K Bank will be setting up an ATM also at Baltal.
The Governor asked BRO representative to ensure that the road leading to Baltal is restored immediately. The State PWD was also asked to expedite full restoration of WBM roads; Neelgrath-Baltal, Rangamorh-Baltal and Baltal- Domel. He was informed that the PHE Department has made arrangements for sprinkling water on the WBM roads.
The Governor was also informed that elaborate arrangements have been made for extending medical facilities to Yatris. A 40-bed Base Hospital at Baltal is being set up at the old Helipad where specialist doctors will be stationed. X-ray and Pathological Laboratory facilities will be available at Baltal, Panjtarni and Holy Cave. Oxygen cylinders will be available at all Medical Centers at Domel, Railpathri, Brarimarg and Sangam. In addition, health facilities will also be provided along the Yatra route by the Army, CRPF, BSF and ITBP and ISM Department of the State Government.
The Governor was informed that Mountain Rescue Teams and Avalanche Rescue Teams drawn from J&K Armed Police, CRPF, BSF, Army, NDRF and SDRF are being deployed at the identified vulnerable locations. Vohra directed that SP Ganderbal should coordinate and closely review the earmarked responsibilities of the various Forces in their defined areas of operation.
Besides Lt. General S. Saha, GOC 15 Corps and Major General Arvind Dutta GOC Victor Force the Review Meeting at Baltal was attended by Showkat Aijaz Bhat, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal; Imtiyaz Ismail, Superintendent of Police Ganderbal; Pankaj Magotra, Camp Director; Shabir Ahamd, Chief Executive Officer, Sonamarg Development Authority; Gh. Mohammad, Sub Divisional Magistrate Kangan; Officers of CRPF and NDRF; Dr. Roshan Din Kasana, Chief Medical Officer; Sami Aarif, Executive Engineer, R&B, Ganderbal; Muzaffar Ahmad Lone, Executive Engineer, Electric & M&RE, Ganderbal; Mohammad Shafi, Executive Engineer, PHE [RWS] ,Ganderbal; Ishtiyaq Ahmad, DFO, Sindh Forest Division Ganderbal; Dr. Gh. Qadir Shah, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Ganderbal; Irfan Bahadaur, Assistant Director CA& PD Department, Ganderbal; M. Akbar Dar, Assistant Director, Fire & Emergency Ganderbal; Faheem Ashaie, SDO, BSNL Ganderbal; Muazzam Ali, District Information Officer, Ganderbal; Nasir Ahmad, Tehsildar Kangan and M Aslam Tehsildar Gund. (Scoop News)
SOURCE-scoopnews.in