Srinagar, Oct 27: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today felicitated the officers of Administration, Jammu Kashmir Police, Army, Air force, CAPFs, Emergency & Health Services, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and Volunteers who have been part of the 52- days long Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2024.

At a felicitation ceremony held at Raj Bhawan Auditorium, the Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to the officers, service providers and all the stakeholders and lauded their efforts for hassle-free experience for the devotees and making elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of Yatra.

“Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is an eternal symbol of our spiritual heritage. It represents our quest for spiritual odyssey and teaches us the timeless values of unity in diversity and brotherhood.  People's collaborative spirit and Team J&K's dedication to serve Yatris ensured they have hassle-free darshan,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He said the collective and coordinated efforts by every section of the society, officials of Administration, Shrine Board, Police, Army, Air force, CAPFs, BRO, Disaster Response Forces, religious leaders, Medical Staff, sanitation workers, service providers, volunteers, ponywalas, pithuwalas, engineers, health-care professionals, social organisations, workforce, and the media fraternity made it a  memorable spiritual experience for the pilgrims.

5,12,252 yatris performed darshans at the Holy Cave during Yatra 2024. This is the highest Yatra figure in last twelve years and it is the 4th time when darshans have crossed 5 lakh.

The Lieutenant Governor also expressed gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Amit Shah  for the continuous support and guidance for the successful conduct of the Yatra.

It was informed that comprehensive arrangements were put in place on both the Yatra Tracks.

77 healthcare facilities, 509 clinical bed facilities and 26 oxygen booths were set up along the yatra route. 100-bed hospitals were set up at both Chandanwari and Baltal and about 1238 doctors and nursing staff were also engaged to serve the pilgrims. 

More than 32,000 ponywalas, pithuwalas and palkiwalas helped the yatris to reach the holy shrine.  7000 sanitation workers, 600 trained workers and 25 management staff were engaged 24x7 and dedicatedly performed their assigned work day and night to keep both the routes of the Yatra clean.

With Zero land fill-based approach for the disposal of solid waste, all the Swachhagrahis contributed significantly in achieving the goal of litter-free Yatra.

100% E-KYC based registration, prepaid system for availing the services easily, Grid based power illumination at Panchtarni and holy cave covering the entire Baltal route,  fast response on maintenance  of wider and safer roads, development of new track on Pahalgam Axis between Chandanwari and Pissu Top, availability of Heli Charter service from Srinagar Airport to Neelgrath, augmented clock room services, accommodation facilities at Yatra Niwas at Pantha Chowk also facilitated the seamless and smooth pilgrimage of the yatris. 

Sh Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Sh Nalin Prabhat, DGP; Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava, GOC 15 Corps; Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, CEO Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, senior officers of Civil, Police Administration, J&K, CAPFs, Army and Shrine Board attended the felicitation cerem