Srinagar, June 21: Reviewing arrangements for the Amarnatah Yatra, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra yesterday visited various base camps and asked all departments concerned to complete all pending work for this year's pilgrimage well before it begins June 28.
Vohra, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), visited the Sheshnag, Chandanwari and Nunwan camps on the south Kashmir (Pahalgam) route of the Yatra.
"The governor, accompanied by Navin K. Choudhary, CEO of SASB, inspected the arrangements at Sheshnag and Chandanwari camps and held meetings with the concerned officers at both these camps. Later, he inspected the arrangements at the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp and held a high level review meeting here," said a statement issued by the SASB.
The governor expressed satisfaction over the to-date status of positioning of the required arrangements on ground, it said.
"The governor asked each of the concerned government departments and all other agencies to complete the entire remaining work before June 26 so that all the arrangements and logistics are positioned well in time before the commencement of the Yatra. He stressed that if required, additional manpower be pressed into service to complete all tasks immediately," the statement said.
Vohra directed that all medical centres at the base camps and en route must be made functional immediately. He said that rations and all other essential commodities be stocked at all the camps expeditiously.
The governor emphasized the need for greater coordination among all the departments and agencies concerned for the Yatra's smooth conduct and ensuring that the Yatris are provided best possible facilities.
He directed all officers to ensure that every pilgrim is treated with courtesy and provided the required guidance and assistance for completing his Yatra without facing any inconvenience. He reiterated that no Yatri without valid registration should be allowed to cross the access control gates.
The governor stressed that the camp directors should maintain security, cleanliness and effective sanitation within their camp areas and asked them to maintain round the clock contact with the SASB control room and with other camps to ensure that any arising problem is resolved without any delay.
During his inspection of the Nunwan camp, the governor reviewed the medicare arrangements, power and water supply, paths, toilets and baths, sewage treatment plant, sanitation and langar (free kitchen) facilities, asking those at the kitchen to ensure cleanliness and hygienic conditions.
Other arrangements which were reviewed included provision of facilities at the Mir Bazar and Walnut factory transit camps in south Kashmir, the status of the Khanabal-Pahalgam and Pahalgam-Chandanwari roads, transport and traffic arrangements, public address system, fire and emergency services, telecommunication, security, weather forecasting, etc.
