 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 10: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) J&K Executive Member Raman Suri today said that the government of Jammu and Kashmir UT has done a commendable job by handing over the construction and maintenance of twin tracks of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra from Baltal and Pahalgam to Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The move, he said, will enable BRO men and machinery to lay a fine track on both the 14 Km and 48 Km tracks respectively, helping pilgrims overcome the hurdles that used to halt or delay their journey due to improper and unsafe tracks.
The Guinness World Record holder for constructing the highest altitude road at Umling La, the BRO, has a vast experience that will be put to use on these two tracks for the benefit of pilgrims. Raman Suri said, with the construction of fine tracks the pilgrims will be able to undertake their journey safely, material including water and eatables will be transported to cave shrine easily, security personnel manning the shrine will get easy access and in case of disaster or casualty, the evacuation will be easy.
The yatra that had crossed a 3.65 mark this year is important for devotees scattered across the globe and adding to the facilities will further increase the number of pilgrims. Having commendable expertise in the construction of roads in almost every state of the country besides neighbouring countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka, BRO men and machinery are highly capable of working under hostile conditions yet provide finest road network to Indian army, Raman Suri said, adding that their work in Baltal and Pahalgam might help even in extending the duration of the pilgrimage.
Pilgrims, Raman Suri said, have suffered a lot due to bad weather conditions, poor roads, dilapidated tracks and poor arrangements but ever since the BJP government has taken over the reins of power, massive development with safety and permanent multiple transit camps have reduced the burden of pilgrims and made yatra comfortable. Despite that, a lot is yet to be done and handing over the tracks to BRO is one such step that is going to transform the entire experience of ascending to or descending from the cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji.
BRO, Raman Suri said, is India's most reputed construction organisation that takes care of the strategic needs of the armed forces and possesses skilled manpower and machinery. BRO, he added, also takes care of the environment and works with ethics. He hoped that before the onset of next year's annual pilgrimage, BRO will be able to lay a fine track and help the yatris undertake a holistic experience of pilgrimage. BRO, he added, also establishes eating points, which will also help pilgrims. Raman Suri appreciated J&K LG Manoj Sinha for taking such a magnificent decision and hoped that BRO will start their work from this season itself.
Remembering those who, while constructing BRO roads, laid down their lives, Raman Suri said that their supreme sacrifice will never be forgotten. He said, since its formation on May 7, 1960 BRO had been securing India's borders and the officers from Border Roads Wing under the Ministry of Defence and the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), with their capabilities, have been building safe roads in the remotest and toughest passes of the country. BRO, he said, had constructed Rohtang Pass and is constructing tunnels including Zoji La pass tunnel, Leh-Manali Highwa, Theng Pass tunnel between Chungthang and Tung in North Sikkim and Sela Pass tunnels on Bogibeel Assam to Sagalee to Tawang. |
