Srinagar, Jul 10 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday reviewed arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra at the Baltal base camp and directed the administration to adopt a zero-tolerance approach against overcharging, fake registrations and any form of fraud targeting pilgrims.
During his visit, Sinha inspected the base camp hospital, registration counters, accommodation facilities and other amenities to assess the arrangements for the annual pilgrimage.
He directed all departments to ensure seamless coordination so that pilgrims face no inconvenience during registration, accommodation, movement and darshan. The safety, comfort and convenience of devotees should remain the administration’s top priority, he said.
The Lieutenant Governor warned that strict action should be taken against anyone found exploiting pilgrims. He instructed officials to register FIRs against service providers or government employees involved in overcharging, fake registrations or other fraudulent practices.
Sinha also ordered a sanitation audit along the Baltal route and stressed uninterrupted drinking water supply and high standards of cleanliness throughout the pilgrimage.
Officials informed him that elaborate arrangements have been made for security, healthcare, accommodation, sanitation, electricity and drinking water, while RO water facilities have been strengthened along the route.
Interacting with pilgrims, Sinha said around 1.70 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine during the first eight days of the yatra. He also said the administration had successfully facilitated a large number of devotees who arrived without prior registration.
The Lieutenant Governor said the 100-bed hospitals at Baltal and Chandanwari are functioning round the clock and are treating around 1,300 to 1,400 OPD patients daily.
He urged pilgrims to follow all advisories issued by the administration and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, assuring them that the administration remains fully committed to ensuring a safe, smooth and hassle-free pilgrimage.
Senior officials of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, civil administration, police, Army and other agencies attended the review meeting.(NVI)
