The arrangements for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, 2017 were reviewed at a high level meeting held, here today.The meeting was co-chaired by Chief Executive Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, Officer Umang Narula and Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal to discuss the necessary services being put in place for the annual pilgrimage.Members of Civil Society, IGP, Jammu, IG (P) Traffic J&K, Jammu, DIG, Jammu-Kathua Range, SSP Jammu, concerned HODs of the Division and Deputy Commissioners of Jammu, Samba, Udhampur and Ramban besides Additional Deputy Commissioner were present in the meeting.Narula informed that the 40 day Yatra will commence on June 29, 2017 from Jammu with its closing on August 7, 2017 on the Rakshabandan day. He apprised that advance registration of yatries has already started from March 1, 2017 through 436 branches of Punjab National Bank, J&K Bank and YES Bank across the country.He further informed that in addition to ensuring advance registration, the intending yatri has to acquire compulsory health certificate from a State Government authorized Doctor/CHC. He said children below the age of 13 years and adults above the age of 75 years will not be registered for Yatra.Narula said that on-spot registration facility during the Yatra period will be available at Jammu at Vaishnavi Dham, Saraswati Dham, Jammu Haat and Geeta Bhawan/ Ram Mandir.He emphasized upon the need of ensuring adequate arrangements by working in a total coordinated and efficient manner.Addressing the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner, said that the administration has already initiated action with regard to the arrangements that need to be made for the yatra this year. He said that all the arrangements are being monitored strictly at all levels so that the devotees would have to face no inconvenience on this account.
The Div Com informed that to make this year’s yatra more comfortable, it has been decided to install air conditioners in all the three dormitories at Yatri Niwas Jammu besides making special arrangements for availability of fresh/washed bed linen for the yatries on payment of reasonable charges. Also, the number of lockers in the Clock rooms have also been increased this year from 200 to 400. Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner also sought suggestions from civil society members so that no loophole is left in arrangements required for comfortable pilgrimage of the yatries. The civil society members including Mahant Remeshwar Dass of Ram Mandir, Jammu, Yashpal Gupta, President, Federation of Retailers Association, Karan Singh Charak General Secretary Baba Amarnath and Budha Amaranth Yatri Niyas, Inderjeet Khajuria, Chairman, Paryatan Vikas Mandal Jammu, Pawan Gupta, President, All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association also spoke and gave their suggestions. They appealed the respective bazaar associations to ensure that the encroachments on foot paths, drains, roads and streets are removed to facilitate smooth flow of yatries in city of temples during the Yatra.The representatives further suggested that the huge influx during Shri Amarnath Ji yatra should be utilized for promoting pilgrimage tourism within the region by ensuring publicity of other sacred places around Jammu.It was decided in the meeting that the Health Centres at Ram Mandir and Geeta Bhawan shall issue Health/ Fitness Certificate to all the yatries and not just Sadhus.Security arrangements, transportation of pilgrims from Yatri Niwas, emergency/ disaster management, setting up of temporary Langars, setting up of communication centres (BSNL), medical facilities/ medical team at Yatri Niwas and enroute National Highway, sanitation, temporary toilets, mobile toilet vans in Bhagwati Nagar area, uninterrupted supply of electricity, adequate water supply, traffic arrangements were the major issues discussed.