Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday inaugurated the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB’s) Yatri Niwas Complex at Baltal, Ganderbal for pilgrims of Amarnath Yatra.
The facility, developed by ONGC under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, will accommodate 800 pilgrims and also consist of a registration and security block.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, for their kind support to SASB.
He also thanked the ONGC for taking up the work for establishing Yatri Niwas at Sidhra Jammu, Baltal, Nunwan and Bijbehara at a cost of Rs 240 crore under Corporate Social Responsibility.
“Safe and adequate accommodation to all the devotees is our top priority. We are creating better facilities for the pilgrims, while securing the livelihood of local people and service providers. At present, the work of Yatri Niwas at Sidhra, Nunwan Phase-I and Bijbehara is going on. Yatri Niwas at Nunwan is expected to be completed before the month of October this year,” he said.
Sinha said widening of Tracks and installation of safety railings have ensured safe and hassle-free movement of pilgrims. “Today the tracks are illuminated by grid power and this has provided great relief to the pilgrims and also provided an opportunity for 24x7 monitoring. Grid Power Connectivity from Panchtarni to Chandanwari will be ensured by next year”.
He lauded the contribution of Police, Security forces, Administration, Shrine Board, executing agencies, engineers, laborers, sanitation workers, civil society groups, langar seva organizations, local people and all other stakeholders for the smooth conduct of Yatra.
During his visit to Baltal Base camp, the Lieutenant Governor interacted with the service providers and devotees and extended his best wishes to all the pilgrims for a safe pilgrimage.
Addressing the media persons, the Lieutenant Governor said that more than 20,000 devotees have already performed darshan at the cave.
“Pilgrims are feeling blessed and excited to be part of this journey of faith and tradition. There is an atmosphere of celebration and enthusiasm in the entire J&K for Amarnath Yatra. The people of Jammu Kashmir are extending a warm welcome to the devotees,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said pilgrims arriving earlier than stipulated date will be accommodated, however advised them to wait since those devotees who had prior registration would be given priority.