LG honours team behind successful Amarnath Yatra 2024

Srinagar, Oct 27: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Sunday felicitated the officers of the civil administration, J&K Police, Army, Air Force, CAPFs, emergency and health services, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), and volunteers who were part of the 52-day Amarnath Yatra.

At a felicitation ceremony held at Raj Bhawan, the LG thanked the officers, service providers, and all the stakeholders and lauded their efforts for a hassle-free experience for the devotees and making elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the yatra.

“Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is an eternal symbol of our spiritual heritage. It represents our quest for a spiritual odyssey and teaches us the timeless values of unity in diversity and brotherhood.  People’s collaborative spirit and Team J&K's dedication to serving yatris ensured they have hassle-free darshan,” he said.

The LG said that the collective and coordinated efforts by every section of the society, officials of the administration, SASB, Police, Army, Air Force, CAPFs, BRO, disaster response forces, religious leaders, medical staff, sanitation workers, service providers, volunteers, ponywalas, pithuwalas, engineers, health-care professionals, social organisations, workforce, and the media fraternity made it a memorable spiritual experience for the yatris.

He said 5,12,252 yatris performed darshans at the Amarnath cave shrine during the Amarnath Yatra 2024.

“This is the highest Yatra figure in the last 12 years and it is the 4th time when darshans have crossed 5 lakh,” the LG said

He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their continuous support and guidance for the successful conduct of the yatra.

It was informed that comprehensive arrangements were put in place on both the yatra tracks.

A total of 77 healthcare facilities, 509 clinical bed facilities, and 26 oxygen booths were set up along the yatra route.

Hundred-bedded hospitals were set up at both Chandanwari and Baltal and about 1238 doctors and nursing staff were also engaged to serve the yatris.

More than 32,000 ponywalas, pithuwalas, and palkiwalas helped the yatris to reach the holy shrine. Another 7000 sanitation workers, 600 trained workers, and 25 management staff were engaged 24x7 and dedicatedly performed their assigned work day and night to keep both routes of the yatra clean.

With a zero land-fill-based approach for the disposal of solid waste, all the Swachhagrahis contributed significantly to achieving the goal of a litter-free yatra.

Hundred percent e-KYC based registration, prepaid system for availing the services easily, grid-based power illumination at Panchtarni and Amarnath cave shrine covering the entire Baltal route, fast response on maintenance of wider and safer roads, development of new track on Pahalgam axis between Chandanwari and Pissu Top, availability of Heli charter service from Srinagar Airport to Neelgrath, augmented clock room services, accommodation facilities at Yatra Niwas at Pantha Chowk also facilitated the seamless and smooth yatra.

Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat; GOC 15 Corps, Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava and CEO SASB, Mandeep K Bhandari attended the felicitation ceremony.