Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday, in a day-long tour, visited both the Baltal and Pahalgam axis and reviewed the preparedness and response mechanism of all stakeholder departments for the Amarnath Yatra.
Sinha also conducted on-site inspection of facilities on travel routes of Baltal and Pahalgam and chaired review meetings at the base camps which discussed lodging, health-care, communication network, sanitation, water supply, weather forecasting, emergency response, fire safety and all other basic necessities, an official press release informed.
At Baltal, the LG inaugurated a 70-bedded fully-equipped DRDO hospital for providing quality healthcare services to Amarnath pilgrims.
The hospital, funded by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, will house the facilities like X-RAY, General ward, OPD, ICU, Oxygenated ward, Pharmacy, Laboratory and Ultrasound, the press release said.
“Better coordination among various agencies is of utmost importance for better facilities, seamless journey and spiritual experience for pilgrims. All the departments involved in Yatra management must ensure the best possible facilities as a high number of devotees footfall is expected for the annual pilgrimage,” observed the LG.
During his visits, the LG interacted with the Camp directors, officials of police and other security agencies and sought the status of the Yatra arrangements.
The LG instructed for fire audit at all vulnerable places and directed the concerned Deputy Commissioners to hold regular joint meetings of all stakeholders including security agencies.
The LG also complimented all stakeholders for their efforts in completing the assigned tasks on time. He further called for better coordination among all the departments involved in Yatra management for the safe and successful conduct of the annual pilgrimage.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary passed explicit directions pertaining to the deployment of sufficient sanitation staff, installation of dustbins at appropriate locations, training of service providers, medical aid for high altitude sickness, displaying of rate-lists, minimizing the waiting time for pilgrims and illumination of camps and the track. He further stressed on making the Yatra plastic-free.
Nitishwar Kumar, CEO, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, directed the concerned officers to stock 10 days of essential commodities, besides stocking diesel for gensets, in advance, at all identified locations on Yatra track.
Concerned Deputy Commissioners gave brief presentations on location outlay, accommodation capacity, movement plan of pilgrims, sanitation plans, IEC activities etc.
R K Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary Home Department; Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir; Shyambir, DC Ganderbal; Dr Piyush Singla, DC Anantnag; and other senior officers of police, civil administration and SASB accompanied the LG, the press release said.
