Governor undertakes Aerial Survey of Pahalgam - Shri Amarnathji Holy Cave - Baltal tracks
Srinagar (Kashmir), May 21 – The Governor, Mr. N. N. Vohra, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, today undertook an aerial reconnaissance of the Pahalgam-Holy Cave-Baltal circuit to assess the status of snowmelt along both the Yatra routes and at the various Camps along the tracks. Later, the Governor had an extensive inspection of the Baltal Base Camp and reviewed the ongoing works, including those relating to internal pathways, accommodation for Yatris, toilets/baths, water supply, electric supply, etc.
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The Governor, accompanied by his Principal Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, flew over Pahalgam, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Mahagunas Top, Panjtarni, Holy Cave and reached Baltal after taking stock of the present status of the snow melt. Several such assessments are made in the pre-Yatra period every year to determine the earliest possible date for commencing the repair of facilities at the Base and enroute Camps and for launching track clearance operations. This is necessary for ensuring that all the Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2011 related arrangements are made reasonably ahead of the commencement of Yatra, on 29th June, 2011.
The Governor directed the CEO to ensure the deployment of adequate workforce for clearing the large accumulation of snow and repairing the Baltal-Holy Cave and Chandanwari-Holy Cave tracks and making them operational timely. Once the tracks are made operational, all the requisite facilities should be put on ground at the Camping sites, along both the tracks and in the Holy Cave Shrine area, for the entire work to be completed before 25th June so that the Langar Wallas can be on the ground timely.
Discussing the Master Plan of the Baltal Base Camp, the Governor directed that the map of the entire Camp, indicating the location of the various services, must be displayed prominently. He further directed that the rate cards for hiring the services of the ponies, labourers, dandies and helicopter fares must be prominently displayed at various locations for the benefit of the Yatris. He stressed that an adequate number of dustbins be installed at identified locations and clearing them should be ensured throughout the day. He also called for making adequate arrangements for illumination and provision of safe water supply at the Camp.
The Governor further asked the Chief Executive Officer to ensure that all required sanitation related measures, including the operationalization of Sewage Treatment Plant at Baltal Base Camp, were taken well in time and particular attention given to ensure that all solid and liquid wastes are effectively treated before disposal.
Later, chairing a high level meeting at the Baltal Base Camp, the Governor held discussions with the Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ganderbal, and various other District level officers. At this meeting, all the Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2011 related arrangements, proposed to be made on the Baltal route, by the various Departments, including the PHE, PDD, CAPD, Health, Labour and Animal Husbandry, were reviewed in detail. The Governor called for periodic review and monitoring of progress and effective coordination at all levels to achieve the envisaged results.
The meeting also discussed issues relating to the enforcement of an effective Access Control System and management of traffic at Baltal Base Camp.
Additional CEO of the Shrine Board and CEO, Sonamarg Development Authority and other concerned officers were present on the occasion.
It may be recalled that the Governor had undertaken review of the Yatra arrangements at a similar meeting held at Nunwan Base Camp on 13th May.
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