Puri, Sinha lay foundation stone of Amarnath Yatri Niwas

More Yatri Niwas like facilities coming up for pilgrims: LG Sinha

07/06/2023

JAMMU, Jun 6: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday jointly laid the foundation stone of an Amarnath yatri niwas and a disaster management centre here, and announced the setting up of 4-5 more yatri niwas soon.
Sinha said a financial allocation of Rs 51 crore was received from the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) for the construction of the yatri niwas as part of government-owned company's corporate social responsibility. “I am immensely grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for Amarnath shrine board's yatri niwas at Jammu. This new facility will ease the lives of devotees embarking on annual pilgrimage of Baba Amarnath," Sinha was quoted as saying in an official statement.
Designed by School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, the yatri niwas is set for completion within 18-month time period
Sinha also said the government was trying to "scale up the facilities including lodging, transportation, medical, and better connectivity for the safe and hassle-free pilgrimage of the devotees".
Road connectivity is also being improved which will provide smooth passage to the pilgrims, the LG said.
A complex has already been built in Chanderkote in Ramban district and more such complexes are being planned to ensure a smooth and comfortable pilgrimage experience to the yatris. The installation of mobile towers as well as the efforts of the Border Roads Organization (BRO) to prepare the track for the pilgrimage are also underway, the LG said.
"We are making dedicated efforts to strengthen communication connectivity. Telecommunication towers, Cell on Wheels (used to provides temporary network coverage to areas with limited cellular connectivity) are being installed by the telecom service providers. Army is laying an optical fibre cable from Sonamarg to the holy cave," he added.
Last year, 3.65 lakh pilgrims visited the holy shrine, the highest since 2015. As many as 120 additional bank branches were added last year to facilitate the registration of pilgrims. Registration this year is being provided through 542 branches across the country, Sinha said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Puri expressed gratitude for being a part of "this momentous" occasion.
He said the yatri niwas will comprise 54 rooms and 18 dormitories.
Puri, the Housing and Urban Affairs minister, said the central government was ready to provide all possible support to built more facilities for the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims.
Sinha said the complex, to be built in the scenic lower Shivaliks range on the outskirts of the city, will accommodate 2,500 pilgrims at a time, adding that it will provide accomodation over 30,000 Amarnath pilgrims every year. It will help in traffic management and ensure a seamless experience, he added.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said that more Yatri Niwas like facilities will be coming up for the Shri Amarnath pilgrim across the Union Territory.
"More four to five Yatri Niwas like facilities to accommodate Shri Amarnath pilgrims will be coming up in future across the Jammu and Kashmir," LG Sinha here told reporters on the sidelines of a function organised for foundation of Yatri Niwas and Disaster Management Centre in Majeen area here on the city outskirts.
Sinha also said that Chandanwari to Baltal road is also in the pipe-line, adding, "more Yatri Niwas will come up at Baltal, Nunwan Camp and one at the entry point to Kashmir near the Walnut factory."
"The Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Chandanwari to Baltal road stretch will be completed shortly and once completed, it will save time of pilgrims and also increase the number of pilgrims visiting the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath."
He said, "as there was heavy snow this year but, the BRO men are on job and the tracks will be cleared before the start of the yatra."
On security challenges, he stated, "administration is capable of handling challenges."
Referring to the peaceful conduct of the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting last month in Srinagar, he said the people of Jammu and Kashmir supported a lot.
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Development Hardeep Singh Puri, who was also present on the occasion, said, "our ministry will approve all the Yatri Niwas facilities proposed by the UT administration and once we receive the DPRs, will ensure fast-track funding of projects."
Expressing gratitude to the Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Sinha said, "I am grateful for approving 4-5 more Yatri Niwas under CSR initiatives for Baba Shri Amarnath devotees. This Seva of pilgrims on the holy pilgrimage is really appreciable."
Union Minister Puri and LG Sinha also performed Puja along with the commencement of construction work of Yatri Niwas & Disaster Management Center of SASB under CSR initiative.
He also thanked Arun Kumar Singh Chairman ONGC and Board of Directors for their outstanding support in realizing the dream of Jammu Yatri Niwas and Disaster Management Center.
"We will remain eternally grateful to them," Sinha said.
Earlier, Sinah also inaugurated Prasad cum Souvenir Counter of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in the departure area of Jammu Airport for making packaged Prasad and other Souvenirs available to the devotees.
The 62-day long Amarnath Yatra will commence from July 1, 2023 and conclude on August 31, 2023.

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