J-K LG Manoj Sinha visits Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam, reviews management of Amarnath Yatra
Pahalgam, July 5
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday reviewed the arrangements and security measures for the Amarnath Yatra at the Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam.
The Amarnath Yatra began on July 3.
LG Manoj Sinha said that the discussions with the senior officials focused on the movement of pilgrims, security measures, accommodation facilities, and registration progress.
In an X post, he said that he also interacted with the pilgrims and assured them of a safe and hassle-free journey.
LG Sinha wrote, "Today, I visited the Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam to review the management of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra with senior officials. The discussions focused on key aspects including movement of pilgrims, security measures, accommodation facilities, registration progress, and other logistical requirements essential for hassle-free holy Yatra."
"I directed officials to prioritise the safety, security, and convenience of all pilgrims, while ensuring that every devotee of Baba Barfani is made aware of the importance of valid registration with designated dates to minimise waiting times. During the visit, I interacted with pilgrims and assured them that Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and all yatra management departments are working tirelessly to ensure a safe, smooth, and hassle-free spiritual journey," the X post read.
The 57-day pilgrimage is being heavily monitored using digital surveillance and RFID tracking systems to ensure crowd management and safety. The annual yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
The fourth batch of pilgrims had successfully departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Response Force has set up a 24x7 emergency response camp along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway to ensure the safety of pilgrims during the Amarnath Yatra.
According to Sub-Inspector, J&K SDRF, Kartar Singh, the camp has been established under the directives of the Additional Director General of Police.
Sub-Inspector Singh told ANI on Saturday, "Our team consists of at least 20 personnel, including members from both the SDRF and the Home Guard. This camp has been set up under the directives of the ADG, and we are deployed along the National Highway for the pilgrimage."
— ANI
Reader Comments
The SDRF emergency response camp along the highway is a great initiative. But I hope the administration also focuses on better medical facilities at higher altitudes and proper waste management. Pilgrims often suffer from altitude sickness and environmental degradation is a concern.
👏 Good step! But the real test will be during the peak rush in July-August when thousands of pilgrims arrive daily. The registration system needs to be foolproof to avoid long queues and frustration. Let's hope the implementation matches the planning.
It's heartening to see such detailed security arrangements including RFID tracking. I visited Amarnath last year and though the yatra was well-organized, the waiting time at registration could be reduced. Hopefully this time the tech helps streamline things.
The LG interacting with pilgrims personally is a nice gesture. But I'd like to see more attention to the local Kashmiri vendors and guides who depend on the yatra for their livelihood. Their welfare should also be part of the planning.
All this digital surveillance is impressive but I hope it doesn't compromise the spiritual experience. The whole point of Amarnath Yatra is devotion, not being treated like a package tourist with tracking bands. Balance is needed.
Good initiative by LG Sinha. The SDRF camp along the highway is crucial because accidents on that stretch are common. Safety should always be the top priority during such a massive pilgrimage. Hope everyone has a blessed yatra.
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