LG Sinha reviews arrangements for yatris; will flag off first batch of pilgrims
Jammu Tawi, July 1: Jammu, the City of Temples remained abuzz on Amarnath Yatra eve on Wednesday with devotional fervour amidst the arrival of thousands of Amarnath pilgrims at the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas ahead of the flagging off of the first batch of pilgrims by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday morning.
The 57-day pilgrimage will commence from the twin routes of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 3 and conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.
According to the details available ahead of the ceremonial flag-off, LG Sinha on Wednesday visited the Bhagwati Nagar base camp to review the arrangements made for the pilgrims. He inspected lodging facilities, logistics, security, healthcare, sanitation, help desks, power and water supply, emergency response systems and other essential services to ensure a smooth and hassle-free pilgrimage.
The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to strengthen manpower deployment to efficiently manage the anticipated rush of devotees. He also instructed authorities to make regular public announcements at Bhagwati Nagar and the Tawi Riverfront so that pilgrims receive timely information and guidance.
The Lieutenant Governor took appraisal of logistics, lodging, security arrangements, health facilities, help desks, sanitation, power and water supply, emergency and other essential services and facilities, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience for the devotees.
The Lieutenant Governor also interacted with the devotees of Baba Barfani and wished them a safe, peaceful and blessed pilgrimage. He extended his best wishes and prayed for a safe, peaceful and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage.
The first batch of pilgrims will leave Bhagwati Nagar under a multi-layer security arrangement on Thursday. Authorities said only registered pilgrims with valid RFID cards and completed e-KYC formalities will be allowed to enter the Yatri Niwas before joining the convoy.
The Lieutenant Governor was accompanied by Nalin Prabhat, DGP; S.J.M.Gillani, Special DG Coordination PHQ; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Bhim Sen Tuti, IGP Jammu; Amol V Homkar, IGP CRPF Jammu Sector; M. Suleman Choudhary, IGP Traffic; Dr Rakesh Minhas, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Dr. Devansh Yadav, Municipal Commissioner Jammu and senior officials from civil administration, police and security forces.
Meanwhile, offline registration process at the Tawi Riverfront Centre continued smoothly on Wednesday.
Officials said tokens were distributed for both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, and all pilgrims issued tokens and completing registration would join the first convoy on Thursday morning.
Preparations for the annual pilgrimage in Jammu stand completed, with comprehensive arrangements for registration, accommodation, transportation, medical care, sanitation and security.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar said extensive facilities have been put in place across all five districts of the Jammu division falling along the Yatra route. These include on-the-spot registration, RFID and e-KYC centres, accommodation, langar facilities, medical rooms, sanitation, uninterrupted power and water supply, and robust security arrangements.
He said pilgrims who have registered online can collect their RFID cards at Lakhanpur, Chichi Mata Temple in Samba, Jammu Railway Station, Tawi Riverfront and Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas. Pilgrims have been advised to complete e-KYC and collect RFID tags before entering the Bhagwati Nagar base camp by 10 pm a day before their departure.
The Divisional Commissioner said accommodation for nearly 55,000 pilgrims has been arranged across Jammu Division, while more than 2,100 toilets have been installed at accommodation centres, transit camps, Yatri Niwas facilities and along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. He urged pilgrims to strictly adhere to the cut-off timings and guidelines issued by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and district administrations to ensure a safe and convenient pilgrimage.
Inspector General of Police Bhim Sen Tuti said elaborate security arrangements have been put in place along the entire 260-km Yatra route, including transit camps and langar sites. He advised pilgrims to rely only on the official Shri Amarnath Shrine Board platform for registration-related information.
Meanwhile, the first groups of pilgrims entering the Union Territory through Lakhanpur in Kathua and Tapyal in Samba received a warm traditional welcome from the respective district administrations before proceeding to the Bhagwati Nagar base camp under security arrangements.
Traffic authorities have also issued an advisory regulating movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Heavy Motor Vehicles will not be allowed to ply from Qazigund towards Jammu and from Jakheni in Udhampur towards Srinagar after 7 pm on July 1, while Light Motor Vehicles will be permitted until 11 pm.
‘4 lakh pilgrims registered online for Amarnath Yatra’
Srinagar, July 1: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Anshul Garg on Wednesday reviewed the arrangements at Nowgam Railway Station for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, saying all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the safe and smooth movement of pilgrims.
Speaking to media persons here, Garg said that weather remains a natural challenge due to the difficult terrain of the Yatra. He said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is issuing weather advisories every three hours, which are being displayed at Baltal and Nunwan base camps to help pilgrims plan their journey accordingly.
“Rain shelters have been installed along both Yatra routes, while mountain rescue teams of the SDRF, NDRF and other paramilitary forces have been deployed at designated locations on the tracks with clearly defined jurisdictions to ensure prompt response to any weather-related emergency,” Garg said.
The Divisional Commissioner said nearly four lakh pilgrims have already registered online, surpassing last year’s figure. He said the 57-day Yatra, commencing on July 3 and concluding on August 28, is expected to witness a higher footfall.
To facilitate pilgrims, the Div Com said e-KYC and RFID facilities have been established at Nowgam Railway Station in addition to Srinagar Airport, Pantha Chowk base camp and both Baltal and Nunwan base camps. He added that online-registered pilgrims will be issued RFID cards on priority.
Garg said the convoy system from Jammu will continue under a dedicated security corridor with notified traffic cut-off timings. Besides, on-the-spot registration counters have been set up at Pantha Chowk and both base camps for pilgrims arriving directly in Srinagar, subject to the availability of the daily quota.
“Comprehensive security arrangements have been made following a series of review meetings, with special focus on convoy movement, base camp security and safety along the pilgrimage routes,” he said.
The Divisional Commissioner added that the ceremonial flagging off of the first convoy will take place on Thursday morning under full security escort. “Many pilgrims have already reached Srinagar through different modes of transport, while arrangements have been put in place to facilitate both pre-registered pilgrims and those seeking on-the-spot registration as per the available quota,” he said.
