Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra today reviewed arrangements for the upcoming annual pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas.
The pilgrimage is scheduled to commence on June 28 from the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal in Anantnag and Ganderbal districts, respectively. It will conclude on August 26, coinciding Raksha Bandhan festival.
The governor, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) which manages the annual yatra, was briefed about the arrangements being made in the areas from where the pilgrimage would commence, an official spokesperson said.
He said the arrangements include facilities to be put in place for supplying power, water through permanently laid water pipes and medical facilities in the entire pilgrimage area.
The governor told Umang Narula, the chief executive officer of the SASB to closely monitor restoration and improvement works which are being executed by various government agencies.
Vohra said that preservation of ecology and environment should be accorded highest priority and all necessary arrangements be put in place well before the commencement of the pilgrimage.
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In order to sensitize the pilgrims about maintaining cleanliness, the spokesperson said the governor said signages be put up at various locations to make the people aware about cleanliness and discourage them from use of plastic items.
Regarding the status of Advance Yatra Registration, the meeting was informed that it commenced on March 1 through 440 branches of various banks all over the country, the spokesperson said.
Narula said about 60,000 people have already been registered as on date with a majority from Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Gujarat.