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Amarnath Yatra: Adequate arrangements in place, forces on alert: J&K L-G
Amid terror outfits’ threats to disrupt the annual Amarnath pilgrimage that begins on June 30, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha requisite security arrangements had been put in place to ensure the yatra was peaceful and hassle-free
Amid terror outfits’ threats to disrupt the annual Amarnath pilgrimage that begins on June 30, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said requisite security arrangements had been put in place to ensure the yatra was peaceful and hassle-free.
Sinha, who was visiting Yatri Niwas, base camp for pilgrims in Jammu city, said, “With the blessings of Baba Amarnath, the 43-day long pilgrimage being held after a gap of two years, will be peaceful and hassle-free.”
“Not only is the pilgrimage of religious and cultural importance, but it is also instrumental in boosting the UT’s boosts economy of Jammu and Kashmir. For the past two years, the yatra could not be held due to Covid-induced restrictions and as a result the economic condition of lakhs of families was impacted. The yatra provides livelihood to locals all round the year. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are also looking forward to the pilgrimage,” he said.
Meanwhile, the much-awaited Amarnath Yatri Niwas at Chanderkote in Ramban district was also ready to welcome the pilgrims, said officials.
“Built at a cost of ₹32.16 crore, the Yatri Niwas has 17 blocks and in each block we can accommodate 216 pilgrims in six dormitories. It has been constructed on the analogy of Yatri Niwas in Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar,” said additional deputy commissioner Ramban, Harbans Lal Sharma.
“The idea behind permanent shelters is to provide a spacious and well secured place to the pilgrims so as to ensure their comfortable stay and at the same time keep them secure. The Yatri Niwas will be guarded round the clock by the CRPF and Army,” he said.
Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) is pulling out all the stops to ensure smooth pilgrimage, scheduled to begin on June 30, to the holy cave shrine housing the naturally formed ice-lingam in south Kashmir Himalayas.
Special health care arrangements for yatris have been made at 150 locations across J&K. Arrangements have been made at 150 hospitals and locations ahead of the yatra. Health and medical education principal secretary Manoj K Dwivedi said state-of-the-art infrastructure and highly-skilled personnel had been deployed this year.
“Besides other facilities, 102- 108 ambulances service have been kept in ready mode,” he said.
“In Jammu division at least 70 health facilities have been identified where all arrangements have been made. In Kashmir division all arrangements have been finalized for the yatra while health facilities have been upgraded this year besides the routine facilities which used to be available en route the yatra,” the officer said
Fifty-five medical stations have been established, which include six base Hospitals, 11 medical-aid centers, 12 emergency aid centres, 26 oxygen booths and 11 en-route facilities have been set up at pilgrim transit sites along the National highway and 17 other functioning hospitals,” the official said, adding that He said that health facilities in the vicinity of transit routes will have emergency response systems in place.
“Two dedicated 70-bedded hospitals at Baltal and Chandanwari have been set up by the DRDO with four bedded ICU support, 25 oxygenated beds and additional 25 beds with supplementary oxygen support. Two bedded ICU facilities have also been established at Pahalgam, Baltal, and Sonamarg,” the officer said.
The officer said that for the first time, the Health department has established oxygen manifolds at the holy cave, lower holy cave, Panjtarni, Sheshnag, Chandanwari, Baltal, Sonamary and Pahalgam and telemedicine units are being established at Panjtarni and Baltal by ISRO in collaboration with Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir which will be functional from July 1.
“Isolation facilities at Panjtarni, holy cave area, Sheshnag have been established for incidental asymptomatic positives Covid Cases. If required 200 beds in COVID Care Hospital (DRDO) for treatment and isolation of patients have been made available,” the officer said.
(With inputs from Srinagar)
