SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday paid a surprise visit to the Baltal Base Camp to review security, accommodation, healthcare and other arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, directing all departments to accord the highest priority to the safety, comfort and convenience of pilgrims.
Sinha, who is also Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), inspected facilities at the base camp along with senior officials and reviewed preparations for the annual pilgrimage. He directed all departments and agencies associated with the Yatra to ensure seamless arrangements from registration and accommodation to the movement of pilgrims and darshan.
“From registration to accommodation, from smooth movement to darshan, every step of the journey should be seamless and free of any obstacles,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said around 1.70 lakh pilgrims had undertaken the Amarnath Yatra during its first seven days, adding that the pilgrimage had entered its eighth day. He said the Jammu and Kashmir administration, police, Army, Central Armed Police Forces and other departments were working in close coordination to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage.
Reviewing facilities at Baltal, Sinha said tent accommodation and other arrangements were under continuous monitoring. He added that fire safety measures, including the installation of fire extinguishers in every tent, had been put in place to safeguard pilgrims.
The Lieutenant Governor also inspected healthcare facilities and said two hospitals, at Baltal and Chandanwari, were providing medical services during the Yatra. According to doctors, around 1,300 to 1,400 patients are being treated daily in outpatient departments, while those requiring further treatment are being admitted.
Appealing to pilgrims to follow the guidelines issued by the administration and the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, Sinha advised devotees to approach camp directors or security personnel in case of any difficulty and cautioned them against being misled by unauthorised persons.
He also said the rates for all Yatra-related services had been fixed and urged pilgrims to report any instance of overcharging to the camp director or police, assuring strict action against violators.
Highlighting the economic significance of the pilgrimage, Sinha said the annual Yatra provides a major boost to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, benefiting thousands associated with hotels, transport services, tent accommodation, pony services and the sale of local products.
The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra commenced on July 3 and will conclude on August 28, spanning 57 days. Managed by the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, the pilgrimage culminates at the holy Amarnath Cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
