On July 9, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha held a meeting with senior administrative, police and Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board officials to review arrangements for the annual pilgrimage and restoration of the National Highway stretch that was affected by incessant rainfall.
“In the meeting, secretary, Public Works (R-B), informed the Lt Governor that the restoration work of the damaged stretch at Panthyal Ramban is being carried out on a war footing,” an official statement read. During the meeting, L-G Sinha instructed officials that necessary men and materials should be stationed at key locations for timely actions and maintenance of roads.
Further, at the meeting, discussions were also held on the utilisation of the Mughal Road and other alternative roads for traffic movement.
“J-K Administration is coordinating with Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways and NHAI for early restoration of the damaged stretch. Amarnath pilgrims and the public should be informed about weather conditions and the status of the Yatra on a real-time basis,” L-G Sinha said.
The Lt Governor directed officials to ensure every possible assistance, lodging, and food arrangements for pilgrims and optimum utilisation of major camps and enhancement of medical facilities for them.
“Holding capacity in Kashmir Division should be increased for devotees returning after darshan in view of the closed National Highway. The holding area at Kathua should be utilised to its optimum as it is the entry point to J&K. We should increase the capacity and facilities at health centres at both the divisions,” he said.
At the meeting, Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, CEO of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, briefed the L-G that the mountain rescue teams have been deployed to facilitate the pilgrims and all the stakeholders while nodal officers were working around the clock to ensure smooth arrangements for the Yatris.
Earlier on July 8, the annual Amarnath Yatra had been suspended for the second consecutive day on the twin routes of Baltal and Pahalgam due to bad weather conditions in the State.
As per the officials, inclement weather conditions in the union territory caused a delay to the annual Amarnath Yatra and suspended the Yatra from both the Pahalgam and the Baltal routes.
Pilgrims are being assisted during their entire journey by state agencies and civil departments by making all the essentials and facilities available to devotees, according to the official spokesperson.
The 62-day yatra, which commenced on July 1 and culminates on August 31, is an important pilgrimage for Hindus who visit the Amarnath Cave, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva.
The J&K administration assured a smooth and hassle-free yatra for all devotees, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha stating that the Government’s top priority is to provide the best healthcare and essential facilities to visitors and service providers.
Earlier on July 9, as the weather showed significant improvement on July 10, a batch of 6,491 pilgrims performed darshan at Amarnath holy cave.
Among the yatries who paid obeisance at the cave included 4700 men, 1,456 women, 213 children, 116 Sadhus and 6 Sadvis. 93,929 pilgrims performed darshan at Shri Amarnathji.
Earlier, the annual Amarnath Yatra resumed on the Pahalgam route following an improvement in weather conditions, officials said. The Yatra on the other route, Baltal, is yet to resume.
Earlier, the Yatra was halted since July 8 due to bad weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmir. At least 67,566 pilgrims visited the Amarnath cave shrine since the beginning of the Yatra on July 1.
About 18,354 pilgrims on July 5 left for the Amarnath cave shrine both from the Baltal base camp and Nunwan base camp performed the darshan. “These include 12483 males, 5146 females, 457 children, 266 sadhus, and 2 sadhvis,” an official statement said earlier this week.
According to the official spokesperson, pilgrims are being assisted during their entire journey by state agencies and civil departments by making all the essentials and facilities available to devotees.
Under the supervision of camp directors, the entire facilities are extended to yatris including Langers, health facilities, assistance by service providers including poniwallaa, pithuwalas, dandiwalas, sanitation, and many other assistance, the statement said.
