Srinagar
Governor N.N Vohra, Chairman of Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) on Monday reviewed the arrangements to be made for providing rescue facilities in case of any emergent situation during the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra 2017. Chairman was informed by Umang Narula, CEO SASB, that a total of 24 Rescue Teams will be deployed during the forthcoming Yatra. These teams would be drawn from the personnel of J&K Armed Police, SDRF and the NDRF and equipped with all rescue equipment including Oxygen Cylinders. 8 Mountain Rescue Teams from the J&K Armed Police will be deployed to help women and sick Yatris in negotiating difficult stretches on the Yatra routes.
Narula further informed that a total of 12 Avalanche Rescue Teams viz 11 teams of the State Disaster Response Force and 01 team of CRPF would be deployed along both the routes. Of these, 7 teams would be deployed along the Pahalgam route at Chandanwari, Pissu Top, Zojibal-Nagakoti; Sheshnag, M.G.Top, Panjtarni, Holy Cave and 5 teams along the Baltal route at Baltal, Domel, Railpatri, Brarimarg and Sangam Top. Besides, 4 Search and Rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are also being deployed at Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panjtarni and Baltal.
35 Dog Squads would be deployed by the Army, J&K Police, BSF and CRPF along the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, of which 27 would be on the Pahalgam axis and 8 will be stationed on the Baltal route. These dog squads are used for carrying out anti- sabotage checks and other security related duties.
Governor Vohra recalled, with high appreciation, the valuable contribution made by the Rescue Teams in saving many precious lives during the previous Yatras by providing timely assistance and effecting quick evacuation of pilgrims in distress.
