Anantnag, June 13: Reviewing the arrangements and on going works ahead of ShriAmarnathYatra, starting from July 1, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinhaconducted on-site inspection at Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps and reviewed ongoing works and logistics, lodging, health and other facilities that have been put in place for the comfort of pilgrims.
The Lieutenant Governor praised the elaborate arrangements put in place by all stakeholder departments for snow clearing of all sections of track, deployment of trained manpower, helipad operations, health facilities, water and power supply at transit camps and halt points, tent and shop allotment, Disaster Management, contingency plan for accommodation.
Subsequently, a meeting was held that was attended by Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department; Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary, Public Works (R&B); Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, CEO, Amarnathji Shrine Board; Vijay Kumar, ADGP Kashmir and Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.
He also assessed the arrangements for drinking water and sanitation, as well as the facilities for sanitation workers deployed to ensure cleanliness at the Base Camps.
The Lt Governor directed the concerned departments to make all necessary services accessible to the pilgrims at railway station, airports, on travel routes and Yatra base camps.
The Lt Governor urged officials to build a strong healthcare and health emergency infrastructure, including additional teams of doctors and nurses. He also instructed them to use technology to their advantage in the event of an emergency.
The Lt Governor told the officials that proper arrangements for regular ambulance, heli-ambulance service, and oxygen cylinders must be made.
The Lt Governor gave specific instructions to the Camp in-Charge and other concerned officials to have Sheshnag and Panjtarni camps operational by June 20.
He stated that the Track for ponies and Pithoos from Chandanwari to the holy cave must be completed well before the start of the Yatra.
The Lt Governor set a June 20 deadline for the completion of various works such as snow removal at MG Top, Panjtarni, and other such areas; completion of the emergency landing platform at Holy Cave; boundary walls, safety railing on vulnerable stretches; water supply, and RO installation in every camp.
Power and lighting should be installed in all camps by June 17. Health facilities and medical equipment should be available. The Lt Governor told the officials that the Health Department’s SoP would be made operational at each camp.
The Lt Governor directed the KPDCL and Jal Shakti departments to hire skilled personnel and monitor water and power logistics on a daily basis.
The Lt Governor emphasised the importance of PRIs and civil society members participating in the successful completion of the ShriAmarnathjiYatra.
“Power and lighting are provided in each camp.We must learn from last year’s challenges and take comprehensive measures in response. All concerned departments, CAPFs, J&K Police, Army, and other stakeholders should work closely together to make the best arrangements possible to ensure a safe pilgrimage,” he said. He added that civil administration and security forces should provide feedback on tracks.
It was stated that work on the steel girder bridges would be completed well before the start of the Yatra.
The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to focus on sanitation, tent quality, fire extinguishers, and ensuring adequate gaps during tent installation. There should be no unauthorised tents. SOPs and guidelines must be strictly followed in the vicinity of the holy cave, he added.
The Lt Governor directed the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control to complete the Nallah works by June 25.
Instructions were also issued for the installation of LED at various locations with pre-recorded messages and information dissemination, as well as the upgrade of Signages and information boards, as well as the provision of strong telecom and mobile connectivity.
Bhupinder Kumar, Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department; Dr Syed AbidRasheed Shah, Secretary Tourism Department; Syed Fakhrudin Hamid, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, senior officials of ShriAmarnathji Shrine Board, Civil Administration, Police, CAPFs and Army also attended the meeting.
