Srinagar, June 23, (Scoop News)-Governor, J&K, Shri N.N. Vohra, who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, held a meeting at Raj Bhavan today to review the arrangements for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra which is scheduled to commence on 28th June, 2014.
R.K. Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, who had returned to Srinagar late last night after undertaking an on-ground assessment tour of the entire Yatra route, covering Baltal-Holy Cave-Panjtarni-Sheshnag-Chandanwari, on 21st and 22nd June 2014, briefed the Governor about the to-date position regarding snow-melt on the tracks enroute Holy Cave, at the sites of the Yatra Camps, status of restoration of the Yatra tracks along both the routes and about the other logistical arrangements which are being made by the various concerned State Government Departments.
The Governor was informed that while the Baltal-Holy Cave track is largely clear, the final stretch of about a kilometer up to the Shrine is still fully covered with snow and, as in the past years, on this stretch the pilgrims would have to walk on the frozen snow path. The CEO informed that it would be possible to commence the Yatra along the Baltal-Holy Cave route from 28th June, 2014.
As regards the Chandanwari route, the Governor was informed that the track between Sheshnag-Wavbal- Mahagunus Top –Poshpatri – Panjtarni is still heavily covered with snow. The snow level, particularly at Poshpatri-Mahagunus Top and Wavbal, is between 6 to 8 feet. The staff of the Pahalgam Development Authority is working on this stretch on double shift basis to clear the snow and restore the track for the Yatra. In this stretch the Yatris would have to walk on a snow track. It is not expected that the track would be free of snow before 28th of June.
Shri Gupta informed that the CEO of the Pahalgam Development Authority, along with several officials of Anantnag district, is scheduled to visit the Yatra area today, the 23rd June, to see that all the Yatra related arrangements, including track restoration works, are got fully completed in the next 5 days.
In view of the detailed reports on various aspects provided by the CEO, the Governor, Shri N.N. Vohra, decided that he shall, alongwith the CEO, visit Holy Cave, Panjtarni and Sheshnag Camps on 25th June, 2014 to take a call whether the Yatra could, without any risk, commence on 28th June 2014 from the Chandanwari- Sheshnag route. The Governor shall also visit the Base Camps at Baltal and Nunwan to review all preparatory arrangements during his day long tour to the Yatra area on 25th June.
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