Felicitates members of langar organisations, NGOs for their contribution during SANJY 2024
2024 witnesses record-breaking 5,12,252 pilgrims, highest in 12 years
Zero-landfill solid waste disposal adopted for two consecutive years
Srinagar, Dec 15: Highlighting the successful conduct of Yatra 2024, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that 2024 witnessed record-breaking participation with 5,12,252 devotees visiting the shrine over 52 days, the highest number of pilgrims in the last 12 years.
Sinha lauded the selfless service of all stakeholders involved in the yatra, emphasising their significant contributions to the well-being of devotees throughout the pilgrimage.
Expressing his gratitude, the Lieutenant Governor “All the individuals and organisations we recognise and honour today are real-life contributors to the traditions of selfless service,” he said.
Sinha said that it was a result of the collective efforts of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), government departments, J&K Police, security forces, sewadars, voluntary organizations, and civil society groups. He reaffirmed the Shrine Board’s commitment to ensuring quality facilities for pilgrims, aiming to make their pilgrimage experience both divine and hassle-free.
“The Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra symbolizes our rich spiritual and cultural heritage. The goal of the Shrine Board and those involved in Langar Seva is to make the pilgrimage sacred and seamless. It is our collective responsibility to dedicate our energy to this noble cause,” the Lieutenant Governor stated.
Meanwhile, the Lieutenant Governor today felicitated the members of langar organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) who played a pivotal role in offering food, langar (community kitchen), and other essential services to pilgrims during the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) 2024. The felicitation ceremony was held at the Resident Commission’s office in Srinagar.
Sinha also spoke about the infrastructural developments made for the smooth and safe conduct of the yatra, including road widening and the upgrading of various facilities. He noted that additional cloakrooms were made operational at the Holy Cave and Lower Holy Cave to accommodate pilgrims better.
A total of 122 langars served free food and prasad to the yatris along both Yatra routes during the 2024 pilgrimage. This included 47 langars along the Baltal axis, 14 at the Sangam & Holy Cave area, 59 along the Pahalgam axis, and two in Srinagar’s Yatri Niwas. Social organizations also contributed by providing free fodder at Pahalgam and Poshpathri, operating a free battery car service on the Baltal route, and distributing safety helmets to yatris in vulnerable areas prone to shooting stones.
The Lieutenant Governor further outlined the successful implementation of disaster preparedness measures and the decongestion of the Holy Cave and Lower Holy Cave areas prior to the yatra. Langars were set up only in demarcated safe zones at these sites, with langar sewadars allowed entry into the yatra area only with valid RFID cards.
Emphasizing the commitment to a litter-free pilgrimage, Sinha said that Shrine Board has adopted a zero-landfill approach for solid waste disposal for two consecutive years.
He said that healthcare facilities were upgraded with 1,238 medical professionals, including doctors and nurses, serving pilgrims at 77 healthcare centers along the yatra routes.
“The initiative included 100-bed hospitals in Chandanwadi and Baltal, catering to devotees and local residents,” he said.
He said that 122 langar organizations provided free meals to devotees across the yatra routes. “Out of these, 47 were stationed on the Baltal axis, 69 on the Pahalgam axis, and others at key locations,” he added.
Sinha concluded by emphasising the need for langar organizations and voluntary groups to continue providing high-quality service to the pilgrims, ensuring their comfort and safety throughout the yatra.
The ceremony was attended by several key officials, including K.N. Rai, Member of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board; Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, CEO, SASB; KK Sharma, Member, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board; Dr. Rashmi Singh, Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K; Rahul Singh, Additional CEO, SASB; and representatives from langar and social organizations.
