Around 1.70 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy Amarnath cave shrine during the first eight days of the annual pilgrimage, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday.
He credited the seamless coordination among various agencies for ensuring a smooth and hassle-free Yatra.
Reviewing the ongoing pilgrimage at Baltal base camp in Ganderbal, the Lieutenant Governor said the Jammu and Kashmir administration, Police, Army, security forces, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) and other stakeholders have worked in complete synergy to facilitate the annual pilgrimage.
“Today marks the eighth day of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, and so far, around 1,70,000 pilgrims have paid their obeisance at the holy cave,” Sinha told reporters.
He noted that compared to previous years, a significantly higher number of devotees had arrived without prior registration, but the administration successfully accommodated them by completing the required formalities without causing inconvenience.
“Every effort is being made to ensure that all pilgrims return home with a positive experience. I am confident that devotees arriving from every corner of the country will carry back fond memories of their pilgrimage,” he said.
Sinha appealed to pilgrims to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the administration and the Shrine Board to ensure their safety and the smooth conduct of the Yatra.
“The entire administrative machinery is working round-the-clock to assist you. In case of any inconvenience, please immediately inform the nearest Camp Director or deployed security personnel, and all possible assistance will be provided on priority,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Highlighting the healthcare arrangements along the twin Yatra routes, the Lieutenant Governor said two fully operational 100-bed hospitals at Baltal and Chandanwari have been providing round-the-clock medical care to pilgrims and security personnel.
According to him, the hospitals are treating an average of 1,300 to 1,400 outpatients every day and have emerged as a key component of the health infrastructure put in place for the pilgrimage.
“The hospitals are playing a critical role in safeguarding the health of both the pilgrims and the dedicated personnel deployed along the routes,” Sinha said.
Earlier, the Lieutenant Governor inspected Base Camp Hospital, on-spot registration counters, tents and other facilities, along with the senior officials and directed all line departments to ensure seamless inter-departmental synergy for a hassle-free and memorable pilgrimage experience.
“The comfort of Shri Amarnathji’s devotees must remain the highest priority. From registration to accommodation, from smooth movement to darshan, every step of the journey should be seamless and free of any obstacles. The Shrine Board and every department involved are united in their dedication to making this spiritual journey a safe, seamless, and deeply memorable experience for all,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor said that Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is not only transforming the spiritual lives of devotees but also uplifting the lives of the people of Jammu Kashmir.
He interacted with service providers, sanitation workers, doctors, and the volunteers who tirelessly run the langars.
The Lieutenant Governor directed the authorities to take strict legal action against anyone involved in overcharging pilgrims or executing fraudulent registrations. Whether it is a service provider, a government employee, or an individual associated with any institution, make no exceptions. Register a case immediately, he said.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasized a comprehensive audit of all sanitation arrangements.
He ordered officials to ensure an uninterrupted, 24/7 water supply.
The 38-day annual Amarnath Yatra commenced on July 3 from the twin routes of the traditional 48-km Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and the shorter 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district amid multi-layered security arrangements. The pilgrimage will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
