SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday reviewed the arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Yatra at the Nunwan base camp in Pahalgam, directing all departments and stakeholder agencies to operate in “mission mode” to ensure the safety, welfare and convenience of pilgrims.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the base camp, Sinha assessed the availability of essential services, including drinking water, electricity, telecom connectivity, accommodation, food, healthcare, emergency response and security. He also inspected the Yatra Registration Counter and reviewed the registration process.
The Lieutenant Governor said the pilgrimage had crossed a significant milestone, with more than 3.5 lakh devotees having paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine within the first 15 days of the yatra.
“Today marks 15 days since the pilgrimage began, and in these 15 days more than 3.50 lakh pilgrims have had darshan of Baba Bholenath. By the grace of Lord Shiva, the yatra is proceeding smoothly. There is great enthusiasm among devotees coming from every corner of the country, and local residents and service providers are also actively engaged in making this sacred pilgrimage a success,” he said.
Sinha directed officials to intensify environmental protection measures by launching special cleanliness drives along both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes and at all camps.
“We are dedicated to a waste-free Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra and we must, working together under a whole-of-government approach, fulfil this commitment,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor also instructed officials to regularly obtain feedback from pilgrims and ensure prompt redressal of grievances. He directed that all services provided to pilgrims should strictly follow a 100 per cent prepaid system to ensure transparency and prevent overcharging.
With the Meteorological Department forecasting heavy rainfall over the coming days, Sinha asked the administration and all stakeholder agencies to strengthen contingency measures and remain prepared to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims under all circumstances. He also made it mandatory for every tent at the base camp to be equipped with a fire extinguisher.
During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor interacted with pilgrims, who expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, particularly the sanitation, accommodation, security and healthcare facilities.
He said the expansion of infrastructure and pilgrim amenities over the past few years had reflected positively in the feedback received from devotees, while stressing that every pilgrim should be able to access these facilities without difficulty.
Sinha also met shopkeepers, service providers, langar sevadars and volunteers, appreciating their contribution to the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Addressing the media, the Lieutenant Governor said better coordination among the Jammu and Kashmir administration, police, Army, security forces, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and other stakeholders had significantly improved this year’s arrangements.
He also said the pilgrimage continued to generate substantial economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir, adding that many devotees were purchasing locally made handloom and handicraft products following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to support local artisans.
The Lieutenant Governor was accompanied by senior officers of the civil administration, police, security forces and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board during the visit.
