Visits Nunwan, Chandanwari base camps
n STATE TIMES NEWS
PAHALGAM: Saying that world’s eyes are on Jammu and Kashmir, as we celebrate the annual Shri Amarnathji yatra, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday asked the concerned authorities should work together to give a warm welcome and memorable experience to the pilgrims.
“The annual pilgrimage brings people from different walks of life and states together at one place”, he said while interacting with the pilgrims, service providers, and the administrative and security officials deputed for the Yatra during his visit to the Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps.
Fourth batch of 4,758 pilgrims leave for Amarnath shrine
Jammu: A fresh batch of 4,758 pilgrims left the base camp here on Monday for the Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, officials said.
Over 20,000 pilgrims have paid their obeisance at the 3,880-metre high cave shrine till early Monday.
The fourth batch of pilgrims left in two back-to-back convoys and were escorted by eight security vehicles and an ambulance between 3.40 am and 4.10 am, the officials said.
While 3,030 pilgrims took the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route for their yatra, 1,728 pilgrims took the shorter but steep 14-km Baltal route, they said.
With this, a total of 17,565 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley since June 30 when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch.Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu, Mukesh Singh on Sunday visited Ramban district along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and took stock of security at the transit camp in Banihal and en route the shrine, a police spokesman said.
During the security review, the spokesman said threadbare discussions were held on various elements of security at different places of deployment to secure community kitchens and lodgment centres.
The ADGP asked the officers of police, Army, CAPF, intelligence agencies and civil administration to work in close coordination to ensure a smooth yatra.
Sinha added: “It is not only a symbol of brotherhood of humankind but also shows the path to spiritual salvation and inspires all to embrace equality, compassion and humanism”.
“Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra has contributed immensely to our composite culture in the last several centuries. The annual pilgrimage provides a perfect opportunity to showcase J&K’s priceless culture and historic transformation,” he said.
The Lt Governor took stock of the arrangements and directed all concerned departments to take every possible measure to make the Yatra smooth, safe and hassle-free for devotees.
He directed all the stakeholders to liaise closely with the team on the ground to ensure effective coordination on cutoff timings to enable the smooth conduct of pilgrimage and to also facilitate locals and tourists.
He instructed the concerned officers to explore all the possibilities to further improve the traffic management and to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims through the checkpoints. He also discussed the deployment of trained manpower for the Yatra, who had contributed in the recently held G20 summit at Srinagar.
At the DRDO hospital, the Lt Governor interacted with the doctors and medical team. He directed the officials to ensure round the clock healthcare facilities during the yatra.
The Lt Governor also took appraisal of various services like lodging, Langar, power and water supply, sanitation, health and other facilities to the pilgrims.
Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag briefed the Lt Governor on the day-wise status of the Yatris arriving at the Base Camp.
The Lt Governor was accompanied by Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, CEO, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board; Vijay Kumar, ADGP Kashmir; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Dr. Piyush Singla, Administrative Secretary, Revenue Department and other senior officers of District Administration, SASB, Police and Army.