Chariman Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board calls for improved Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2012
Srinagar (Kashmir), August 16 – Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor, has complimented and thanked Jammu & Kashmir State Administration, Indian Army, Central Police Forces, Jammu & Kashmir Police, local stakeholders, people at large and all those who were associated with the management of this year's Shri Amarnathji Yatra. He congratulated all of them for their valuable support for ensuring the smooth and peaceful conduct of this arduous pilgrimage.
The Governor was addressing the Post-Yatra Review Meeting at Raj Bhavan here today. He lauded the excellent synergy and very high level of coordination among the Civil Administration, Shrine Board, Army, Security Forces, State Police and each of the Government Departments and agencies involved with Shri Amarnathji Yatra.
The Governor observed that today's Post-Yatra Review Meeting had been convened to obtain feedback and the suggestions regarding the need to change existing systems and procedures from each of the officers who were manning various responsible positions during this year's Shri Amarnathji Yatra. Based on such valuable feedback the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board shall endeavour to plan to introduce meaningful improvements in the management of Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2012 to provide the best possible amenities to the pilgrims (Yatris).
Referring to the record number of over 6.35 lakh Yatris who undertook the pilgrimage this year, he asked Chief Executive Office (CEO) of the Shrine Board, to draw up an objective assessment of the wherewithal available with the various concerned agencies to cater satisfactorily to the requirements of the progressively increasing pilgrimage. In this context, he drew particular attention to the condition of the Yatra tracks after spells of heavy rains, nature and adequacy of facilities available along the Yatra tracks and at the transit Camps, gents and ladies urinals, drinking water facilities, medical check points, arrangements for Disaster Management, adequacy of Access Control arrangements at Domel and Chandanwari etc.
Observing that 107 persons had died during this year's Yatra, of whom around 100 had lost their lives because of heart related problems, he stressed the need for enforcing certain regulatory conditions in regarding to the medical fitness of the Yatris for Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2012. He added that the safety and security of the Yatris is the prime concern of the Shrine Board and, as such, all related issues would need to be kept in view in planning Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2012.
The Governor, who is the Chairman of the Shrine Amarnathji Shrine Board, laid emphasis on ensuring cleanliness and effective sanitation in the Base Camps, Camps enroute and the entire Yatra area. In this context, he referred to his recent visits to the Holy Cave, Panjtarni, Baltal and Domel and observed that while a good deal of cleaning had been done he had given 20th August as the time frame for completion of this task by the Sonamarg and Pahalgam Development Authorities and those engaged by the Shrine Board to carry out cleaning operations. He said that he shall again be visiting the Shri Amarnathji Yatra area in the coming days to see for himself the results of the special sanitation drive.
The issues which came under detailed discussion during the meeting included
- Review of the existing system of registration of Shri Amarnathji Yatris and measures for more effective access control at the Chandanwari and Domel Barriers;
- Critical assessment of the sanitation arrangements at various Camps and operation of Sewage Treatment Plants at Baltal and Nunwan;
- Operation of Helicopter Services;
- Effective enforcement of the rates to be charged by the pony and dandiwallahs, labour etc to ensure against over-charging by the service providers.
CEO of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, while thanking one and all for the very high level of coordination, said that it was due to the excellent synergy that despite varied challenges Shri Amarnathji Yatra was managed in a very smooth manner.
Detailed discussions were held and a number of valuable suggestions were put forth by the participants of the meeting in regard to all aspects of Shri Amarnathji Yatra in the meeting, chaired by CEO, which proceeded for almost the whole day, with a view to identify specific areas of improvements and include these while planning the approaches for Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2012.
Senior Officers of the Army, Security Forces, Police, DIG BSF, Srinagar, DIG, CRPF, Srinagar, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, SSP Anantnag, SP Ganderbal, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Board, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Director Animal Husbandry, Kashmir, Senior General Manager, BSNL, Srinagar, Chief Executive Officer, Pahalgam Development Authority, Chief Executive Officer, Sonamarg Development Authority, Camp Directors and other senior officers of the various Government Departments and functionaries of the Board were prominent among those who participated in the meeting.
|
