Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said the security arrangements and facilities provided to the Amarnath pilgrims have been constantly improved over the past three to four years.
During a visit to Nunwan Base Camp in the Pahalgam area, Sinha told PTI Videos that the feedback received from the pilgrims showed that over 96 percent of the devotees were happy with arrangements made by the concerned officials and organisations.
“I was in Baltal the day before yesterday. In the last three to four years, the security of the pilgrims and other facilities (for them) has been getting better every year. Those who are ensuring the arrangements are doing their best and doing it with devotion,” he said.
“We want the pilgrims to take back happy memories. There is an atmosphere of festivities everywhere,” he added.
Expressing satisfaction over the large number of pilgrims coming for the Yatra, the LG said he expects ore to come over the remaining days.
“I had said that the success of the Amarnath Yatra this year will boost tourism in Kashmir. So far, around 3.45 lakh have had ‘darshan’ and we are hoping that more people will come,” he said.
Sinha also visited Chandanwari base camp and reviewed the services and facilities for the pilgrims.
According to an official press release, the LG interacted with the pilgrims, service providers, langer sevadars, sanitation workers, medical staff, and administrative, police and security officials deputed for the ongoing pilgrimmage. He took stock of department-wise arrangements, logistics, lodging, disaster management, healthcare and other facilities that have been put in place on travel route and Yatra base camps at Pahalgam axis.
The LG lauded the dedication, passion and commitment of Camp directors, officials of Shrine Board, civil and police administration, security forces, service providers, volunteers and everyone involved in the holy Yatra for ensuring a pleasant and memorable pilgrimage for the devotees of Baba Barfani.
Amarnath Yatra has crossed 3,35,000 mark. “The success of the Yatra will give a significant boost to the tourism sector in the Union Territory. 97 percent positive feedback received from pilgrims. The Yatra is going on smoothly, meeting all the expectations. We are witnessing an overwhelming atmosphere of spiritual fervor and festivity throughout the base camps,” the LG said.
He directed health officials to conduct an in-depth analysis of patterns and causes for the health-related incidents among pilgrims and take precautionary measures to improve overall health outcomes for the devotees.
He also reviewed the Yatra feedback system and directed for incorporating traffic feedback option for better traffic management and to facilitate the smooth movement of the pilgrims.
The LG was accompanied by Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to LG and CEO, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; VK Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Rahul Yadav, MD, JKPDCL and Nodal Officer, Amarnath Yatra for Pahalgam Axis; Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag and other senior officers of district administration, SASB, police and security forces.
