Governor N.N. Vohra, Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), presided over the 32nd Meeting of the Shrine Board held today.The meeting was attended by H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, Dr. (Prof.) Ved Kumari Ghai, Pt Bhajan Sopori, Shri Vijay Dhar, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Shri D C Raina, all Members of the Board. Besides, Shri P.K Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer and Shri Jitendra Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, also attended the meeting.Regarding the duration and date of commencement of the Yatra 2017, keeping in view its foremost concern of safeguarding the safety and security of the pilgrims, the Board decided that a 40 day Yatra would commence on 29thJune 2017, an auspicious day of Skandshasthi as per Hindu Calendar and conclude on Shravan Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) on 7th Aug 2017. The Board directed that the CEO should arrange a special Pooja at Chandanwari on the day of Jyesth Purnima, which falls on 9th June this year, to invoke the blessings of Lord Shiva for the smooth and safe conduct of the pilgrimage.The Board deliberated at length in regard to the number of Yatris who would be allowed to register, date-wise and route-wise, for this year’s Yatra. Considering the carrying capacity of the existing tracks and other available infrastructure in the Yatra area, the Board decided that 7,500 Yatris, per day per each of the two routes, excluding Yatris who would travel by helicopters, would be allowed to register for the pilgrimage.
The Board noted the steps taken by the CEO for the Registration of pilgrims through 433 designated branches of Punjab National Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank and YES Bank which are located in 32 States and UTs and directed him to take all required steps to commence Advance Registration of pilgrims w.e.f from 1st March 2017.
The Board further directed CEO to repeatedly publicize, through the electronic and print media, to advise the intending Yatri to secure the prescribed Compulsory Health Certificate issued by the Doctors / Hospitals nominated by the State or U.T in which he resides and only thereafter processed to seek Advance Registration from the nearest located designated Bank which would issue the pilgrim a Yatra Permit which is valid for his journey on the specified date and the specified route. The Board also advised the CEO to send out a fresh appeal to all the potential pilgrims to consult their doctors before embarking on the pilgrimage.The Board directed the CEO to take timely steps for ensuring uninterrupted telecom connectivity in the Yatra area during Yatra 2017. Appreciating the services rendered by the Langar Organisations during Yatra 2016, the Board expected continued cooperation from them during Yatra 2017.The Board directed CEO to reiterate and caution all potential pilgrims to duly take into account the harsh climate and terrain in the high altitude region of the Yatra area and prepare themselves fully before embarking on the Yatra. As in the past the awareness campaign would be launched with the cooperation and support of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and CEO shall also place all information relating to Yatra on the Board’s Website (www. Shriamarnathjishrine.com).Noting the Chairman’s direction to take sustained efforts to further improve the facilities to be provided to the pilgrims the Board reviewed the Action Plan, which has been drawn up for the conduct of Yatra 2017, particularly the arrangements being made for providing medical care, sanitation facilities, and installation of the railings at all vulnerable places along each of the two routes and the measures being taken to preserve the environment of the Yatra area by ensuring solid waste management and removal of garbage in a scientific and environment friendly manner. Chairman directed CEO to ensure that all the arrangements are timely in place well before the commencement of the Yatra.