| Yatris must follow regulations in their own interest: CEO, SASB | | Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2013 | |
SRINAGAR, June 27 : A total of 12,717 Yatris have secured registration for the first day of Yatra i.e. 28th June, 2013, for both the routes taken together. Out of them, 6567 pilgrims have registered to travel by the Baltal route and 6150 by the Pahalgam route. It is pertinent to mention here that for this year’s Yatra the Shrine Board has fixed a ceiling of 7500 Yatris per day per route.
This excludes pilgrims who travel by the Heli services upto Panjtarni, 6 kms short of the Shrine, whose number may normally vary between 1000-1400, depending upon the number of sorties which are undertaken during the day, which would be based on the weather conditions. This was disclosed in a meeting to review the final Yatra arrangements which was held under the chairmanship of Mr. N. N. Vohra, Hon’ble Governor, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.
The Governor has, earlier, also discussed Yatra 2013 related issues with the Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah, in the wake of the Uttarakhand tragedy to reiterate the importance of the District Administration strictly ensuring against any unregistered pilgrim being allowed to undertake
the Yatra. The Chief Minister held a review meeting only yesterday. The Governor has directed the CEO to obtain final reports from all Camp Directors to reconfirm that the arrangements put in place are strictly as per the decisions taken.
The Governor has directed the CEO to again speak with the Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir) and IGP (Kashmir) to ensure strict enforcement at the Access Control Gates located at Chandanwari and Domel. The CEO has also been directed to immediately speak to the Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police of Ganderbal and Anantnag districts to personally overview the management of the Access Control Gates at Domel and Chandanwari and ensure that only those Yatris who possess valid registration permits are allowed to embark on the Yatra. Instructions in this regard have already been issued to the Camp Directors and Police Officers responsible for enforcing effective Access Control measures, the CEO informed.
Giving further details, Mr. P. P. Singh, Additional CEO, SASB stated that those Yatris who have arrived in Jammu without having obtained valid Registration should secure Registration from Vaishnavi Dham, Saraswati Dham and Jammu Haat before proceeding towards the Valley. Registration facility is also available at Tourist Reception Centre (TRC), Srinagar for those Yatris who have already reached Srinagar without having obtained valid Registration.
Mr. Singh yet again appealed to the Yatris to obtain Registration to avoid difficulties and inconvenience and advised them not to proceed towards Baltal or Pahalgam without possessing valid Registration. Similarly, all children below the age of 13 years and all elderly persons above the age of 75 years will not be allowed to undertake the Yatra as per the Board’s decision.
Mr. Singh, while wishing all Yatris a safe Yatra, has appealed them to follow all rules, regulations, guidelines and advisories issued for Yatra 2013, in the best interest of pilgrims, and helping the Board in making the Yatra a success. To ensure that Yatris do not fall sick while trekking in the high altitude Yatra area, all Langars have been advised to serve food strictly as per prescribed food menu, he said.
In view of the inclement weather in entire State during last 24 hours, the CEO, and the Divisional and District Administrations are closely monitoring the situation and, if needed, suitable advisories will be issued at the appropriate time, Mr. Singh further informed. |
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