Sham Choudhary reviews arrangements for Amarnath Yatra at Baltal Camp

Asks to ensure timely, adequate deliverance of services to be provided to the pilgrims

GANDERBAL, JUNE 7 – Minister for PHE, Irrigation, Flood & Control, Sham Lal Choudhary said that the government is fully committed to provide all necessary facilities to the pilgrims during Shri Amarnathji Yatra. An effective mechanism will be put in place for the smooth conduct of the forthcoming Yatra and concerted efforts are afoot to improve infrastructural, other facilities at base camps and en-route shrine.

The Minister said this during his day long tour to Baltal, base camp for Shri Amarnathji Yatra to review the progress of ongoing works relating to arrangements for Yatra which is commencing from June 29.

Sham Choudhary went around the camp and was apprised of the status of the ongoing works by PHE and other departments. It was informed that damaged water lines have been repaired and soon the water supply to langar sites, bathrooms and other important points will be completed.

It was told that that the water supply will also be given to the already established fire hydrants around the camp. The Minister was also briefed by the officials of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) about the works being carried out by the board and other government departments. He was informed that huts which were badly damaged due to heavy snowfall in winter have been repaired and are ready to provide to the pilgrims.

The SASB officials further said that particular location is being used for tent accommodation to the pilgrims. Various departments are carrying out works here at the camp and will be completed well in time before the commencement of the yatra. The Minister asked the PHE officials to coordinate with SASB so that required works can be taken up and finished in time.

The Minister was also briefed about the other facilities including helicopter service, langar facility, sanitation in and around the camp and others.

During his tour, the Minister also discussed security arrangements with the Army officers who ensured that foolproof security will be provided to the pilgrims throughout yatra.

Speaking to the officers present at the camp, the Minister stressed on the need for effective supervision and round the clock monitoring by all the concerned agencies for better management of the Yatra. He asked for maintaining a close synergy to ensure the timely and adequate deliverance of the services to be provided to the pilgrims.

“All the pending works needs to be carried out on war footing basis so that the base camp will be ready to accommodate visiting pilgrims with all necessary facilities”, the Minister said.

Sham Choudhary said that the government has been conducting successful yatras since long and this year also all the fool proof arrangements will be put in place. He asked all the line departments to work in tandem to ensure that the visiting Amarnath pilgrims get all basic facilities.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that government is closely reviewing the arrangements and hopefully pilgrims coming to state as part of Amarnath Yatra would enjoy their pilgrimage. ‘It is the responsibility of our government to make people feel comfortable during their stay in J&K and we will surely be able to make their trip memorable,’ Sham Choudhary maintained.

Earlier, en-route to Baltal, the Minister also inspected Water Filtration Plant at Rangamorh. The PHE officials informed that the plant was damaged due to snow avalanche after which repair works were being carried out and soon the plant will be made functional.

Meanwhile, MLA Kangan, Mian Altaf along with locals also met Minister at Manigam and raised PHE and Irrigation related issues.

The MLA said that irrigation department was requested many times to carry out the de-silting works in Baba Canal which are still not taken up. He said the farmers of the area are fully dependant on this Canal for irrigation purpose and it needs to be taken on priority. He also raised few other issues related to irrigation department mainly taking care of identified critical spots along the local river.

The Minister on spot instructed the concerned officers to take up the canal dredging works on priority so that farmers will be benefitted. He also asked the officers to inform Local MLA about the ongoing and proposed works in his constituency. ‘Peoples representative should be informed about the works being carried out in his area and inputs provided by them should be incorporated while carrying out any development works for the betterment of local people’, the Minister said.