Yogesh
Srinagar, Jul 1: Reiterating that the Amarnath Yatra is a “People’s Yatra,” Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday expressed confidence that a large number of pilgrims will participate in the forthcoming annual pilgrimage.
Talking to reporters here, Lt Governor, said that elaborate and foolproof arrangements have been put in place for the smooth and safe conduct of the annual pilgrimage.
“I have witnessed the previous four Yatras, and I can confidently say that the arrangements this year are better than ever before. The administration and security forces have worked tirelessly to ensure foolproof security and seamless facilities for the pilgrims,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor informed that more than 5,000 Yatris have already arrived in Jammu, and the number is expected to rise significantly in the coming days. “We are anticipating a very good response from devotees this year,” he added.
Sinha also emphasized the spirit of collective ownership surrounding the pilgrimage. “This Yatra does not belong only to the administration and security forces. It belongs to all of us — to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, to the devotees, and to every stakeholder who contributes to making it a success.”
The first batch of pilgrims set to be flagged off from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas tomorrow.
Chairs high level meeting in Srinagar
Earlier in the day the Lieutenant Governor chaired a high-level meeting with the senior officers in Srinagar and reviewed the final preparations for Amarnath Yatra.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department Shaleen Kabra; DGP Nalin Prabhat; Special Director General (Coordination), PHQ, S.J.M Gillani; Principal Secretary Home Chandraker Bharti; Principal Secretary, Finance Shri Santosh D Vaidya; ADGP CID Nitish Kumar; Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor and CEO SASB Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari and senior officials of SASB, Police and Civil Administration.
The Lieutenant Governor took a comprehensive review of the traffic & security management and all the arrangements in place by the stakeholder departments for the smooth, safe and hassle-free holy pilgrimage.
The Lieutenant Governor directed the officials for widespread publicity of Traffic Advisory so that common man is not inconvenienced. District Administrations, SSPs, Traffic Police and Stakeholder departments should work in close coordination to ensure movement of pilgrims in designated convoys and smooth implementation of the traffic plan, he said.
He further directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that Lodgement centres and sanitation units are in good condition. (KNO)
