The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board met here today under the chairmanship of Governor N. N. Vohra, Chairman of the Board. The meeting was attended by Dr. (Prof.) Ved Kumari Ghai, Ms. Sunita Narain, Mr. Vijay Dhar, Pt. Bhajan Sopori, Dr. Chander Mouli Raina, and Mr. D. C. Raina, all Members of the Board, and by Mr P.K Tripathi, CEO and Mr. Jitendra K. Singh, Additional CEO of the Board.Giving details of the Yatra, the CEO informed that the “Pratham Pooja” was organized by the Board at Chandanwari on 20th June, on the auspicious occasion of Jyesth Poornima and this year’s Yatra which is of 48 days duration, began on 2nd July and will be concluded on 18th August, 2016.The Board members appreciated the progressively increasing number of pilgrims who are securing Advance Registration with a corresponding decrease in On-Spot Registration. The Board also noted with satisfaction that the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has this year deputed a good number of doctors from prestigious institutions like AIIMS, PGIMER, Safdarjung and RML Hospitals to assist the medical arrangements for the Yatra.
CEO reported that the available doctors on duty have been instructed to assist Yatris on the tracks and particularly check the vital parameters of those showing symptoms of illness.The Board Members were apprised that the planned laying of Optical Fiber Cable along both the Yatra Routes will further strengthen the telecommunication facilities during the future Yatras. The availability of band width at Holy Cave, Panjtarni and Sheshnag has been augmented by establishing VSATs for the ongoing Yatra. To further improve connectivity at the two Base Camps two VSATs are being set up by BSNL at Baltal and Chandanwari.Giving details about the progressively enhancing facilities for Yatris, CEO informed that this year 425 toilets and 140 bathrooms were added to the already existing number. The Camp Directors have been instructed for daily monitoring and inspections of the Camps, toilets and baths to effectively ensure sanitation and hygiene in the Camps.Further, all registered Yatris are being informed daily about the Do’s and Dont’s, weather forecasts and other advisories relating to the Yatra. This is being done through the SMS service.Informing the members about the status of up-gradation of tracks, CEO informed that PWD and Pahalgam Development Authority have been maintaining the Northern and Southern tracks in the Yatra area respectively with special emphasis on erecting railings at all vulnerable places along the two tracks.Chairman directed CEO to ensure that all arrangements are timely in place so that the remaining work is taken up in the post Yatra period, immediately after conclusion of the Yatra on 18th August, 2016. He called for sustained efforts to further improve the facilities provided to the pilgrims who undertake this annual pilgrimage.The Board discussed various measure for solid waste management and removal of garbage in a scientific and environment friendly manner, functioning of service providers, management of Advance Registration Quota and On-Spot Registration and various other aspects relating to the Yatra.The Board was informed that till 20th July, 1,82,768 pilgrims had performed Darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine.In the context of the recent developments in the Valley the Board hoped that sustained normalcy shall soon be restored. Members of the Board directed CEO to reiterate and caution all potential pilgrims to duly take into account the harsh climatic and terrain conditions in the high altitude region of the Yatra area and prepare themselves fully before embarking on the Yatra.