JK guv reviews Amarnath yatra arrangements

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra today reviewed the arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath yatra at a meeting with top state officials here.

The meeting was attended by advisor to governor K Vijay Kumar, chief secretary B V R Subrahmanyam, DGP S P Vaid, corps commander Lt Gen A K Bhatt, chief executive officer of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) Umang Narula and other security and civil administration officials, an official spokesman said.

At the meeting, Narula said 2,49,220 pilgrims had paid obeisance at the shrine till last evening and that the daily average arrival of pilgrims was showing a progressive decline, he said.

"In the context of reducing number of yatris in the coming days, the meeting reviewed the security aspects relating to the inward and outward movement of the declining number of pilgrims as well as of the langar organisations which would be moving out of the valley after finishing their assigned tenures," the spokesman said.

He said the security environment and the status of preparedness for meeting unforeseen situations along the entry route to the valley and on the routes to Baltal and Chandanwari were reviewed.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Khan said he had been regularly monitoring arrangements of basic facilities, including provision of medical services, water and power supplies for the pilgrims.

Khan said the wire mesh fencing and other protection works have been completed on the most vulnerable stretches of Railpathri-Brarimarg track to ensure safety of pilgrims and service providers.

Vohra is also the chairman of the SASB.

The 60-day pilgrimage had on June 28 commenced from the twin routes of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district. It is scheduled to conclude on August 26, coinciding with the 'Raksha Bandhan' festival.