PAHALGAM: Secretary of Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, on Thursday conducted an extensive visit of Chandanwari, Nunwan camps and Pahalgam to assess sanitation facilities along the Pahalgam axis in preparation for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY), 2024, scheduled to commence on 29th of this month.
Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Dr Sayed Fakhruddin Hamid and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
Dr Shahid reviewed the installation and functionality of various sanitation infrastructures including the toilets, washrooms, dustbins, drainage for grey water disposal, segregation of wet waste site, plastic waste management site and other sanitation facilities on the Pahalgam axis.
He also held a detailed meeting with officers and vendors at Pahalgam Club to ensure the timely completion of sanitation assets and directed the officers and vendors to ensure zero landfill yatra in 2024. He inspected the placement of dustbins around the Nunwan to Chandanwari and Yatra routes to ensure effective waste disposal, segregation of waste at source and promote cleanliness among the pilgrims.
The Secretary inspected the newly installed toilets to ensure they meet the standards for hygiene and accessibility. He also reviewed the availability and reliability of electrical connections to ensure that all sanitation facilities, especially those that rely on electricity, operate without interruption.
At the Nunwan base camp, Dr. Shahid inspected the ‘Pink Toilets’ installed for women pilgrims and the portable bathrooms installed at different locations in the base camp. He directed the officers to keep sufficient vehicles available for transporting wet waste generated from langars to designated segregation places.
Emphasizing the importance of an effective Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) strategy, the Secretary discussed plans for awareness campaigns and educational material to promote proper use of sanitation facilities, alternatives to single-use plastics and scientific disposal of biomedical waste.
Dr Shahid said that the department is committed to providing a clean and hygienic environment for all the Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrims. He said that the department is dedicated to ensuring that every pilgrim has access to the best possible sanitation facilities.
During the visit, the Secretary was accompanied by Secretary of RDD&PR, Tariq Ahmed Zargar, Director General (DG) of Rural Sanitation, Anoo Malhotra, Director of Rural Development Kashmir, Shabir Hussain Bhat, ACD Anantnag, Syed Faheem Behaqi, ACP Anantnag, Zaheer Abas Bhat, BDOs and other field officials.
Later, DG Rural Sanitation held a detailed meeting with ACD, ACP Anantnag, Nodal Officer Pahalgam axis, BDOs and other field staff to discuss the IEC strategy for the upcoming Yatra.
