Minister of State for Culture, Tourism, Floriculture and Parks, Ms. Priya Sethi Monday chaired a meeting of officers here at Town Hall Pahalgam to review the arrangements put in place for the upcoming Shri Amarnathji Yatra.The Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah who is also the District Yatra Officer, informed that everyday 7500 registered Yatris will visit the shrine via Pahalgam route, which was made pliable upto Holy cave on 22ndJune. He informed that a Joint Control Room under SDM Pahalgam has already been established besides camp officers have also reported on 26th of June at various stations.During the meeting, the Minister took a detailed review of the arrangements put in place enroute holy cave via Pahalgam including availability of drinking water supply, Medicare facilities, telecommunication facility, transportation, power supply, sanitation at base camps and transit camps, supply of essential food items, kerosene and LPG and establishment of joint control room besides registration of ponies and shopkeepers.
The Minister stressed on the officials of the security agencies to remain extra cautious and deploy adequate personnel along the route in wake of the recent incidents. She directed the fire department to have fire engines at all transit points and check if all exit points are free from all blockades.She also called upon the authorities to conduct a mock drill so as to check preparedness of all the functionaries involved in the annual Yatra. She directed the traffic department to issue stickers to private vehicles at the entry point to avoid undue harassment of visiting Yatris.It was informed that all the three helicopter pads at Mamal, Sheshnag and Panjtarini have been functional while access control gate has been established at Chandanwari. Regarding the provision of electricity, the meeting was informed that 11 KVA line upto Chandanwari has already been charged besides adequate number of DG sets and inflatable lights have been put in order. It was informed that 2350 tents and 170shops have been allotted while, 200 SRTC buses would ply on the routes leading to cave.
Regarding the issue of provision of proper Medicare facilities to the pilgrims, the Minister was informed that 21 medical camps have been established upto Dadrkot besides three permanent hospital at Chandanwari, Sheeshnag and Panjtarini have also been established.The Minister directed the medical officers to put up adequate facilities at medical centers and hospitals to prevent the spread of communicable diseases during Yatra days. She also directed for availability of female doctors and paramedical staff.She directed the concerned officers to provide factual information to the Yatris regarding various and issues during the Yatra days to avoid any kind of confusion, adding that a whatsapp group among all the concerned officials should also be made operational to have real time information.She directed the officer in-charge BSNL to provide uninterrupted telecom facility to the Yatris besides making operational 24X7 helpline numbers.She directed that helicopter service providers to work as heli ambulance in case need arise.