Amarnath Yatra preparations reviewed

Srinagar, May 21:   In wake of the forthcoming annual Amarnath Yatra, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat Tuesday visited the yatra transit camp at Pantha Chowk to oversee the preparations being made for the yatris expected to participate in the yatra.

An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that SSP Traffic, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah; Additional District Development Commissioner, Zahoor Ahmad Mir; Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Syed Ahmad Kataria; Chief Planning Officer, Fayaz Ahmad, besides Executive Engineers of R&B, PDD, PHE, Tehsildar Pantha Chowk, Chief Sanitation Officer and other senior officers of Police and civil administration accompanied the DC during the visit.

During the visit, the DC took stock of the facilities being created for the convenience of the yatris during their temporary halt at the transit camp.

He stressed all concerned departments to formulate a comprehensive plan to ensure a hassle-free and smooth halt of yatris at the yatra transit camp at Pantha Chowk.

On the occasion, the DC was informed that all requisite measures were being taken to ensure that every necessary arrangement including facilities like drinking water, electricity, sanitation, parking space, bedding etc shall be made available at the yatra transit camp well in advance before the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra.

While taking the department-wise review of the arrangements, the DC asked the R&B authorities to complete all works at the yatra transit camp premises besides repair work for the fencing around the compound.

The authorities of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) were directed to ensure proper sanitation and cleanliness at the transit camp regularly, besides the deployment of sufficient staff at the camp for periodical cleanliness in and around the transit camp every day.

He also directed the SMC to keep an adequate number of mobile toilets at the yatra transit camp during the yatra period, besides sufficient bath stations to facilitate the yatris.

The Health Department was directed to ensure proper healthcare facilities at the camp as per past practice.

The DC also asked the PDD engineers to ensure proper power supply and backup at the camp during the yatra period so that yatris do not face any difficulty.

During the visit, the DC also inspected halt stations and public convenience facilities, proposed space for the establishment of langars, water management, and space for setting up registration counters for the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra.

About arrangements to be made for RFID and KYC registration, the DC asked the concerned to ensure all required measures are taken well in advance to ensure hassle-free and fast registration of the yatiris during their temporary halt at Pantha Chowk yatra transit camp.