‘Any person seeking information or help or faces any difficulty in regard to the forthcoming Yatra, which commences on 29th June 2017, can call 0194-2313146 or send an e-mail at [email protected]’
Srinagar: The PDP-BJP Government has decided to use social media to attract the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to the potential tourist destinations and “prolong their stay in the state”.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, while reviewing the arrangements for the annual yatra in Jammu on Monday, asked the tourism department to reach out to the pilgrims through social media to invite them to the places of attraction both in Kashmir and Jammu division.
“The govt should keep record of pilgrims including their phone numbers at the time of registration, many also get short period SIM cards from here. The department can easily invite them by showcasing places of attraction both in Kashmir and Jammu for the benefit of local traders,” he said and also suggested to launch an App having full information about the Yatra procedure and other places of attraction in the state, an official sokesperson said last evening.
Meanwhile the meeting discussed various matters including registration of yatris, accommodation, Medicare facilities, transport facilities, ration, boarding and lodging facilities, supply of drinking water, sanitation, communication and cleanliness at base camps, besides establishment of control rooms at all halting stations.
Dr Singh directed for providing round-the-clock power and water supply at Jammu base camp – Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas.
He asked RTO, Jammu and Traffic Police to keep a strict check on overcharging by auto rickshaws and other passenger vehicles, besides directing SRTC officers to arrange additional buses for the Sadhus for their comfortable travel.
The security agencies were directed to make fool proof security arrangements for ensuring the safety of pilgrims during the yatra.
NHAI was asked to upgrade roads leading from Lakhanpur to Banihal.
Priya Sethi directed for carrying out plantation drives across the State and stress should be laid on beautifying vicinity of Jammu Airport for giving a festive look to the city.
She asked the Tourism authorities to create mass awareness about the registration process at different locations across the state.
Meanwhile, the Amarnath Shrine Board has set up a 24×7 Helpline in Yatra Control Room.
N N Vohra, Chairman, Amarnath Shrine Board (Governor, J&K) yesterday visited the Amarnath Shrine Board office at Raj Bagh, Srinagar and inaugurated the Yatra 2017 Control Room which has a Help Line for prompt attention being given to the enquiries and complaints as may be received from the pilgrims.
Umang Narula, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board informed the Chairman that the Help Line will function from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM on all weekdays from 12th June 2017 to 26th June 2017 and from 27th June 2017 onwards it shall function 24X7 till the conclusion of the Yatra.
Any person seeking information or help or faces any difficulty in regard to the forthcoming Yatra, which commences on 29th June 2017, can call 0194-2313146 or send an e-mail at [email protected].
Governor hold a detailed discussion with CEO, Addl CEO, GM (Works), GM(Sanitation), CAO, Dy CEOs and other officers to review, item wise, the arrangements made or being made for the forthcoming Yatra.
It was noted that each of the various facilities required for the Yatris are being established, in coordination with the various agencies and stakeholders, within the planned time schedules which had been approved by the Chairman in November 2016.
Regarding the sanitation arrangements being made for the ensuing Yatra, Governor directed the GM (Works) and GM (Sanitation) to ensure that the planned number of Toilets and Baths are made fully functional at the Base and en-route Camps.
They should also ensure effective functioning of the waste disposal systems and maintenance of cleanliness in the toilet facilities, at all times. Governor further directed that the functioning of the STPs at Baltal and Nunwan should be reviewed and further upgraded in consultation with experts in the field.
Governor took stock of the arrangements being made for providing medical care services and directed the medical units, with adequate staff, equipment, medicines etc. should be available at a maximum distance of every two kilometers on both the Yatra routes.
He further directed the installation of proper signages which indicate the distance to the next medical centre, for the convenience of the Yatris.
He also directed the timely installation of dome type Shelter Sheds with adjacent toilet facilities for the convenience of the pilgrims in case of inclement weather.
Governor reviewed the training/ orientation programme scheduled to be held for the 24 Camp Directors/ Additional Camp Directors and Deputy Camp Directors, who will be deployed on Yatra duty; status of works and clearance of snow along both the tracks; arrangements made for giving weather related forecasts to the Yatris etc. as the 4 training of the Camp Directors and other officers shall terminate on 18th June, Governor directed CEO to ensure that each of them were at their posts by 19thJune.
Governor asked CEO to ensure that a sustained publicity campaign was carried out to educate and caution the pilgrims about the need for them to follow the Do’s and Don’ts of the Yatra and that every pilgrim undertakes adequate advance preparation and is physically fit before embarking on this ardous pilgrimage.
