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| SASB welcomes tourists, assures free movement | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | June 3
Putting the controversies to rest on use of forest land, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has reiterated that it has taken all necessary measures to maintain the ecology of the yatra area while raising temporary shelter huts and other utility services.
Replying to media queries regarding transfer of land to the Board, Director Public Relations, SASB, Madan Mantoo confirmed that the State Government has accorded sanction to diversion of forest-land measuring 39.88 hectares falling in Block Kukllan, Range Sindh in the Sindh Forest Division.
The DPR said that the Board is fulfilling all the conditions laid down for the transfer of the land at Baltal, which inter alia includes payment of over Rs 2.31 crores.
Meanwhile, tourists and holiday makers will have a hassle free trip to picturesque Pahalgam during this year's Shri Amarnathji Yatra as the relocated frisking point from Serbal to Nunwan will exclusively deal with pilgrims. In another development related to the yatra, the distance from Baltal to holy cave has been reduced from 14 kilometers to 12 kilometers with diversion in the track at Sangam.
This was disclosed at a high level meeting of officers held here this afternoon to review the arrangements of Shri Amarnathji yatra. Principal Secretary to Governor, Dr Arun Kumar presided. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Mehboob Iqbal and other senior officers of Anantnag and Ganderbal districts besides top ranking officers of Security Forces were present.
Dr Kumar gave an overview of the arrangements made by the Board at the base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal besides enroute the cave shrine. He said while raising temporary infrastructure, special emphasis is being laid on the environmental aspects. As a result of measures taken during the past four years, the environmental friendly and pollution free toilets have become a model to emulate. This year 2298 toilets and washrooms are in the final stages of completion. Similarly 91 single room huts and 23 double room huts besides dormitories have bee put in place. These, he said, are insulated and can be life saving shelter places in the wake of exigencies. He said that 45 shelter sheds are also being raised on tracks leading to the cave shrine. These pre-fabricated shelters have wooden floors and can be easily dismantled, he said, adding that during the 2005 earthquake they were made available for the suffering people of Uri and Tangdhar.
Dr Kumar said that initiatives have been taken to supply hot water / hot water bottles and room heaters at all camps enroute to Holy Cave. In addition, water purifiers are being provided to all the langers in order to provide safe drinking water to pilgrims, he added.
The CEO said that permission has been granted to 135 langers, 3650 tents and 715 shops.
Dr Kumar said that the Shrine Board is spending around Rs 4 crores on providing various utility services.
About disaster management and evacuation of sick pilgrims, he said that the Camp Directors of the Board have been empowered to requisition helicopter sorties for shifting such patients to nearest multi-disciplinary hospitals on the advice of the senior medical officer of the camp.
The CEO called for close coordination between various government agencies and the Boarding for streamlining and regulating the yatra. The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir also spoke on the occasion and dwelt on various aspects of the yatra. |
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