- Couldn’t conduct Yatra in past two years due to Covid pandemic; UT administration working for people; peace, prosperity in J&K, says Manoj Sinha.
- We are fulfilling long pending demand of Amarnath Yatra devotees: J&K LG after laying foundation for Yatri Niwas.
JJ CORRESPONDENT
Jammu, Nov 29: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday laid the foundation stone for the Tirth Yatri Niwas and Disaster Management Centre of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board at Majeen here in the city outskirts.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that all misconceptions about Amarnath Yatra are being cleared off and the pilgrimage will be as safe as any other religious event across the country.
Congratulating the devotees of Shri Amarnath, officials of the Shrine Board and the people of Jammu region for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Yatri Niwas, Lieutenant Governor said, “We have fulfilled a long pending demand of all stakeholders, organisations associated with Shri Amarnath Yatra, devotees from across the country and abroad.”
He said that in the past two years, the pilgrimage was postponed in the wake of Covid pandemic but those aspiring to perform the yatra next year should know that the “administration and the people of J&K are gearing up to welcome pilgrims with open arms.”
“There are some misconceptions that Amarnath Yatra isn’t safe. Let me clear here that efforts are being made to make the Yatra as safe as any other pilgrimage being conducted across the country. The administration and the people of J&K are working on this front,” the LG said addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of Yatri Niwas at Majeen area of Jammu region.
Later talking to reporters on the side-lines of the event, the LG said that the administration is not working for a few individuals rather for the people of the region and peace, prosperity, and employment.
Yatri Niwas is not merely a building. It needs to be developed as a centre for awakening of consciousness, a confluence of ancient philosophy so that the devotees can feel bliss and may begin their further Journey to Shri Amarnath Shrine in South Kashmir with purity and perfection, the Lt Governor said.
He directed the Shrine Board officials to establish a library for showcasing the spiritual and cultural heritage of J&K to the visiting pilgrims.
“Administration is not working for a few individuals rather for the people of the entire J&K for their benefit,” he said referring to the National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah’s assertions that post abrogation of article 370 J&K saw a steep rise in unemployment and development went up for a toss.
To a query regarding the difficulties faced by the pilgrims earlier, the LG said that the pilgrims from across the country come here for Amarnath Yatra, and this time every facility will be ensured by the administration besides the work is underway at Ramban and “we except that the work gets completed in next 16 months.”
He informed that the Delhi school of Arts will prepare the design within next two months. “The facility for the pilgrims has been ensured at Srinagar Yatri Niwas by the Amarnath Shrine Broad,” he said.
“All the security arrangements are being ensured along with the advanced technology with which the pilgrims across the country will find it easy beside facilities have been made available for the pilgrims there (Route) as well”, the LG said.
He also said that a plan has been discussed in this regard and a report is awaited and after which the administration will work on it.
The Yatri Niwas in Jammu will also open up new employment avenues for the local population, especially for the youth, he added.
Dharma has been the very essence of the Jammu region since ancient times. The morning breeze here is filled with the prayers just as all our Vedas, Upanishads, Shastras begin with a salutation to the almighty. Therefore, we are making dedicated efforts to serve all those who are starting their spiritual odyssey from the City of Temples, observed the Lt Governor.
Elaborating on the work being done to develop tourism in Jammu, the Lt Governor said that a pilgrimage tourism circuit connecting Mata Vaishno Devi, Purmandal- Utterbehni, Mansar-Surinsar and Shiv Khori together is coming up, besides promoting the unexplored tourism potential of Jammu to attract more tourists.
Durga Bhawan, a high utility pilgrim-centric facility at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine is under construction. Study for the restoration of Shiv Khori is being done and work on it will begin soon. We are also exploring the feasibility of a ropeway at Shri Amarnathji Shrine, the Lt Governor informed.
The Lt Governor expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inclusion of rejuvenation of Purmandal and Uttarbehni in the PRASAD scheme.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor, along with the members and officials of the SASB performed Bhumi Pujan rituals for the new facility.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lt Governor, speaking on the occasion, reiterated commitment of the UT Administration to provide comfortable and modern facilities to the devotees of Shri Amarnath ji.
In his address, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary highlighted J&K Government’s initiatives to improve the facilities for the visiting pilgrims. Once completed, the new Yatri Niwas would accommodate more than 3000 pilgrims, he added.
Chander Mohan Gupta, Mayor JMC expressed gratitude to the UT administration and Shri Amarnath ji Shrine Board for the Yatri Niwas catering to the needs of the devotees and other stakeholders.
Rahul Singh, Addl CEO SASB, in his welcome address, informed about the recent developments made by SASB for facilitating Shri Amarnathji Yatris.
Bharat Bhushan, DDC Chairperson Jammu; Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary, HUDD; Sanjeev Verma, Commissioner Secretary to Government, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment; Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Dr Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Ramesh Kumar, CEO, SMVDSB; Anshul Garg, DC Jammu; former legislators, PRI representatives, religious heads and a large number of people from various communities attended the foundation laying ceremony.
