Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired the 41st Board meeting of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board at the Raj Bhavan here today.
During the meeting, it was decided that this year, the 43-day holy pilgrimage will commence on 30th June with all covid protocols in place and will culminate, as per the tradition, on the day of Raksha Bandhan, 11th August 2022.
Further, the online registration for Shri Amarnathji Yatra will start from 11th April.
The Lt Governor called on the officials to be proactive and ensure elaborate arrangements for conducting smooth Yatra as large number of devotees are expected to arrive to pay their obeisance at the Holy Cave this year. He also said the government is introducing RFID system for pilgrims to track their movement en-route to ensure their well-being.
He laid special emphasis on providing best-in-class health facilities to all the visiting devotees and service providers, strengthening telecommunication channels for Yatris, besides use of latest technological measures to achieve optimal synergy between the different government departments and agencies.
Nitishwar Kumar, CEO, SASB gave a brief overview of the route map of the holy Shrine and various services being made available by the SASB en route and at the holy Cave.
It was informed that key preparations have been made for this year’s Yatra. With increased capacity for accommodation, new Yatri Niwas Bhawans, augmented health facilities, upgraded tracks, telecommunication facilities, Heli Services, SASB App, year-long Insurance for Ponywaalas, many unique initiatives have been taken for the benefit of Yatris and service providers.
Rahul Singh, Addl. CEO, SASB briefed the meeting about the activities and development works being carried out in connection with the annual Yatra, besides presenting Agenda items before the Board.
Shri Amartnathji Shrine board has decided that the Yatra would commence simultaneously from both the routes – the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district. The board has also decided to put in place a daily route-wise pilgrims ceiling to 10,000 excluding Yatri’s who would travel by helicopters. The board has also decided to extend the free-of-cost battery car service for Yatri’s at 2.75 Km-long Baltal to Domel stretch.
The Lt Governor during the meeting also directed for sending special invites to Akhada Parishads, Acharya Parishads for facilitation of Sadhu and Sant Samaj.
The Lt Governor said that all the suggestions made by the board members will be acted upon by the concerned officers of UT administration and SASB. He further directed the officers to complete all the ongoing infrastructure upgradation works by May end.
The Lt Governor stressed on ensuring world-class sanitation arrangement on the track and in Yatra camps. He said that all the utilities on the track routes should be ready and made functional well before the commencement of yatra.
The Lt Governor also called for wide publicity of the information regarding Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2022. He further directed the officials to explore the possibility of involving additional public and private Banks and their branches for providing yatra permits.
