Governor NN Vohra has ordered the J&K Police to ensure all necessary security arrangements for smooth conduct of the Amarnath pilgrimage that will begin on 28 June.

Vohra took stock of arrangements for the pilgrimage on Thursday and directed the authorities to set up adequate number of On–spot Registration Counters at Saraswati Dham and Jammu Haat. He said a strict check be exercised on the fares charged from the Yatris using public transport from the transit camps to the On-Spot Registration counters.

The Governor asked the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, to ensure that adequate arrangements were made for the Yatris at all the transit camps en route, particularly to take care of any emergency situation.

Vohra, who is Chairman of the Shri Amaranathji Shrine Board, visited the Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar here and chaired a meeting with the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Division, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Region, and officers of all departments concerned and agencies to review the arrangements being made for this year’s Amarnath Yatra. As notified earlier, the Yatra to the cave shrine is scheduled to commence on 28 June, 2018, simultaneously along both Baltal and Chandanwari routes.

The Governor reviewed the arrangements under way for the Yatra from Lakhanpur check post to Jammu and thereafter upto Banihal Pass. Among these are arrangements for the reception of Yatris at Jammu railway station and bus stand; arrangements for on–the-spot registration of the pilgrims who arrive without securing advance registration; requirements of accommodation, catering, hygiene, sanitation, etc.

He directed the district and divisional authorities to ensure satisfactory arrangements of water, power supply, garbage disposal, medicare, transport, and all other requirements. He also directed the representative of the State Road Transport Corporation to ensure that only buses which are certified “mechanically fit” and qualified drivers are tasked for ferrying pilgrims. He advised the Director of Tourism Jammu to encourage and facilitate Yatris’ visit to tourist destinations in and around Jammu.