Srinagar, Kashmir, July 10: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday visited the Baltal Base Camp to review arrangements for pilgrims undertaking the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026.
Accompanied by senior officials of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, civil administration, police and security forces, the Lieutenant Governor inspected the Base Camp Hospital, on-the-spot registration counters, accommodation facilities and other essential services. He directed all departments to maintain close coordination to ensure the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
During the visit, the Lieutenant Governor said the comfort and convenience of pilgrims should remain the highest priority, with seamless arrangements from registration and accommodation to movement along the yatra route and darshan at the holy cave.
He also directed authorities to take strict legal action against anyone found overcharging pilgrims or involved in fraudulent registrations, regardless of their affiliation. He instructed officials to register cases immediately against those violating the rules.
The Lieutenant Governor called for a comprehensive review of sanitation arrangements and directed officials to ensure uninterrupted 24-hour water supply at the base camp. He was informed that the number of RO water installations along the yatra route has been increased to provide adequate drinking water to pilgrims.
Officials briefed him on security, healthcare, sanitation, accommodation, power and water supply, and informed him that a feedback mechanism has been established to address issues raised by pilgrims without delay.
During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor interacted with sanitation workers, doctors, service providers and langar volunteers, acknowledging their contribution to the pilgrimage. He said the yatra was contributing to the local economy by creating opportunities for traders and service providers across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor also met pilgrims at the base camp and sought feedback on the facilities being provided. Pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by the administration, Shrine Board, police, Army, security forces and other departments.
Speaking to the media, the Lieutenant Governor said that around 1.70 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy cave during the first eight days of the yatra. He said all agencies are working in coordination to ensure the pilgrimage is conducted without disruption.
He noted that a considerable number of pilgrims had arrived without prior registration this year and said the administration had facilitated their registration through the prescribed procedures.
The Lieutenant Governor said the 100-bed hospitals at Baltal and Chandanwari are fully operational and are handling an average of 1,300 to 1,400 OPD patients daily, providing healthcare to pilgrims and personnel deployed along the yatra routes.
He appealed to pilgrims to follow the guidelines issued by the administration and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and advised them to immediately contact the nearest Camp Director or security personnel in case of any difficulty.
The visit was attended by CEO Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, IGP Kashmir V.K. Birdi, IGP Security Sujit Kumar, IGP Traffic J&K M. Suleman Choudhary, Secretary Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Mohammad Aijaz, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jatin Kishore, SSP Ganderbal Sudhanshu Dhama and other senior officers.