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| NC on its right, SASB ropes in PDP to rebuff controversies | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | May 22
As the uncalled for but usual rift widens on the economic and environmental pros and cons of Amarnath Yatra, the Shrine Board after getting backing of a local National Conference legislator, the Shrine Board today roped in his counterpart from the Peoples Democratic Party to brush aside the allegations.
Meanwhile, the Shrine Board, in an important development has addressed most of the grievances projected by the locals and also ordered major security ease and option to the incoming tourists to board hotels of their choice.
Under a raging controversy in media and political circles in Kashmir, the Shrine Board had few days back taken NC MLA Mian Altaf Ahmed at the pilgrimage site. After his visit along with the Governor, Mian Altaf in a statement had regretted the controversy over yatra arrangement and concerns over ecology.
Following Altaf, today the PDP MLC Mohammad Rafi Mir, appreciated the Shrine Board's prompt response to local grievances and for coordinating various measures like regulation of pilgrim and tourist movement. He said the local business community eagerly awaits the yatra and they should not in any case be deprived of its benefits.
Mir also urged the hoteliers to upgrade facilities and up-date their information on travel websites network for creating awareness among pilgrims about tariffs, facilities and concessions offered during the yatra. He appreciated the Shrine Board offer for providing links through the Amarnath Shrine Board.
Earlier in a major decision to regulate tourist and pilgrim movement to Pahalgam and to the base camp of Shri Amarnathji yatra at Nunwan the Serbal security check post will be relocated near Nunwan and the usual tourist traffic diverted to Pahalgam via circuit road. The decision was taken at a joint meeting of various departments and representatives of hoteliers at Srinagar.
The new plan of action was revealed under which a booth will be established near the check point to serve as an information counter regarding availability of accommodation in the picturesque valley for desirous pilgrims. Pilgrims will be totally free to decide as to whether they wish to stay in Pahalgam hotels or in the Nunwan camp.
The CEO said that with this measure the domestic holidays and tourists from outside the State can visit Pahalgam even during the yatra period without any obstacles. The measure will boost the occupancy of Pahalgam hotels even when schools re-open in the rest of the country after the summer vacations.
"We want pilgrims to stay anywhere they like. In fact, the Shrine Board is not averse to shifting of the Nunwan base camp to its traditional and ancient location of Sadhu Paraw, ahead of Pahalgam that will be beneficial for all, the hoteliers, craft dealers and local traders', Dr Kumar said, hoping that the concerned departments will take initiative in this regard right from now. The district administration assured that shifting of the camp ahead of Pahalgam is under active consideration.
Dr Kumar emphasized the importance of the base camp at Pahalgam, saying that in the event of bad weather when the yatra is stopped for two or three days, necessary infrastructure for accommodating accumulated pilgrims becomes a a vital necessity. He reiterated that the Board has always been endeavouring to let maximum benefits of the yatra percolate to the local people. It is in this regard that the assistance of the locals is being solicited in manning the management of temporary hutments and carrying out various utility services.
Regarding preservation of environment during the yatra, the CEO said that SASB has been erecting uniquely eco-friendly toilets and hutments since last three years, which have proved to be a grand success. Giving the experience of previous years, necessary improvements are undertaken where ever necessary, he said, while referring to the use of chemicals to convert human excreta into manure. "By any standards our little experiment can be a model for all the civic bodies of a Tourist State like Jammu and Kashmir to emulate". He hoped that the district administration will strictly adhere to the ban of polythene in the Yatra area and take action against violators. On its part, he said, the Shrine Board has evolved a mechanism of paper packing for distribution of Prasad, which is being produced locally by a villager of Gandeshpora by making use of local ingredients like almond and walnut.
To the vehement demand of hoteliers that helicopter service be launched from Pahalgam also, the CEO said that it might not be a viable proposition for the operators. However, he agreed with their suggestion of taking up the issue with heli-operators by the association itself and said, "we will be happy if such a service is started at least from Pahalgam to Sheshnag".
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Muneer Khan spelt out the measures being taken for regulating tourist cum pilgrim traffic. On specific issues raised by the hoteliers association, he said the district Superintendent of Police and SP Traffic will look into these after holding a meeting with them.
The DIG said that police teams have been deployed at various points including the Cave Shrine to stop devotees from going on pilgrimage before the official commencement of the yatra. "Even the personnel deployed for yatra duty would not be allowed to have Darshan before the scheduled date', he said.
Khan said that a single window system has been introduced by the district administration to process the formalities of pony and pithuwallas etc.
Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Mr Jaipal Singh said that work on the relocated security check point will be completed soon. He stressed the need for close coordination between various agencies and the Shrine Board to ensure smooth yatra. |
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