Srinagar, July 17 :
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday visited the Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam to review the arrangements for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, directing all departments to function in mission mode to ensure the safety, comfort and welfare of pilgrims undertaking the annual pilgrimage.
During the visit, the Lieutenant Governor chaired a high-level review meeting with senior civil, police and security officials and took stock of facilities including drinking water, electricity, accommodation, healthcare, food, sanitation, telecom connectivity, emergency response, security arrangements and registration services available at the base camp.
Inspecting the Yatra Registration Counter, the Lieutenant Governor also reviewed the registration process and instructed officials to ensure smooth, hassle-free services for every pilgrim.
Addressing officials, Manoj Sinha said that more than 3.50 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine within the first 15 days of the pilgrimage, describing the response from pilgrims across the country as overwhelming.
“By the grace of Lord Shiva, the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is progressing smoothly. Devotees from every corner of the country are participating with great enthusiasm, while local residents and service providers are making significant contributions towards the successful conduct of this sacred pilgrimage,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Stressing environmental conservation, the Lieutenant Governor directed departments to launch special cleanliness drives along both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes and maintain a waste-free Yatra through coordinated efforts of all stakeholder agencies.
He instructed officials to regularly collect feedback from pilgrims and ensure immediate resolution of grievances. He further ordered that all services provided during the pilgrimage should strictly follow a 100 percent prepaid system to maintain transparency and eliminate overcharging.
In view of the forecast of heavy rainfall over the coming days, the Lieutenant Governor directed the administration, police and all concerned agencies to remain fully prepared with strengthened contingency plans to safeguard pilgrims under all circumstances. He also ordered that every tent at the base camp must be equipped with a fire extinguisher as a mandatory safety measure.
During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor interacted with pilgrims, who expressed satisfaction over the arrangements, appreciating the cleanliness, sanitation, security, accommodation facilities and the dedicated services being provided by officials, security personnel and volunteers.
He observed that the expansion of pilgrim infrastructure in recent years has significantly improved facilities and said the administration must ensure that every pilgrim is able to access these services without any inconvenience.
The Lieutenant Governor also met shopkeepers, langar sevadars, volunteers and service providers, appreciating their vital role in facilitating the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage.
Speaking to media persons, Manoj Sinha said that seamless coordination among the Jammu and Kashmir Administration, Police, Army, security forces, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board and other stakeholders has resulted in enhanced arrangements for this year’s pilgrimage.
He noted that the pilgrimage continues to provide a major boost to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy and highlighted that, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to support local artisans, many pilgrims are purchasing handloom and handicraft products, benefiting local businesses and craftsmen.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed confidence that the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 would be remembered as one of the most successful and historic pilgrimages in recent years.
The review meeting was attended by IGP Kashmir V.K. Birdi, IGP Traffic M. Suleman Choudhary, IGP Security Sujit Kumar Singh, Nodal Officer for Pahalgam Axis Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, DIG South Kashmir Range Javid Iqbal Matoo, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, SSP Anantnag Amod Nagpure Ashok, DG Rural Sanitation Anoo Malhotra, besides senior officers of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, civil administration, police and security forces. (KNC)