Srinagar: Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Muhammad Aijaz Asad, concluded a two-day on-foot inspection of the entire Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra route on Tuesday to review sanitation arrangements and assess cleanliness and waste management along both the Pahalgam and Baltal axes.
The inspection began at the Nunwan Base Camp on the traditional Pahalgam route and concluded at the Baltal Base Camp after covering the entire pilgrimage route up to the Holy Cave.
Traversing the route on foot, the Secretary inspected sanitation facilities, waste management systems, toilet and bathing units, and the deployment of sanitation personnel at major transit points, camps and halting stations.
Along the Pahalgam axis, he reviewed arrangements at Nunwan Base Camp, Chandanwari, Pissu Top, Zojibal, Nagarkoti, Sheshnag, Wavbal, MG Top, Poshpathri, Dardkot, Kelnar, Panjtarni, Sangam Top, Lower Holy Cave and Upper Holy Cave.
After inspecting the Holy Cave area, Asad continued the review along the Baltal route, covering Kalimata Track, Y Junction, Brarimarg, Rail Pathri, Domail Camp and Baltal Base Camp, where he assessed the functioning of toilets and bathing facilities, solid waste management systems and the overall cleanliness of camps.
During the inspection, the Secretary interacted with pilgrims, sanitation workers, langar operators and field officials to obtain feedback on facilities and identify areas requiring improvement.
He directed the executing agencies to maintain high standards of sanitation throughout the pilgrimage, stressing that all toilet and bathing facilities should remain fully functional and that waste should be collected, transported and scientifically disposed of in a timely manner.
Asad also instructed officials to ensure round-the-clock deployment of sanitation workers at all designated locations despite difficult terrain, adverse weather conditions and the increasing number of pilgrims.
Reviewing sanitation arrangements at the Holy Cave, he directed officials to maintain continuous monitoring and ensure immediate response to any sanitation-related issues.
Warning against negligence, the Secretary said any lapse in maintaining sanitation facilities during the pilgrimage would be viewed seriously and appropriate action would be taken against those responsible.
He said the purpose of the inspection was to ensure that both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes remain clean, hygienic and environmentally sustainable, enabling pilgrims to undertake the annual pilgrimage in a safe and dignified manner while preserving the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
The Secretary was accompanied during different stages of the inspection by Director General, Rural Sanitation, J&K, Anoo Malhotra, Assistant Commissioner Development, Anantnag, Shafiq Ahmad, district officers, sanitation officials and other field functionaries.
