Amarnath Yatra to be as safe as any other pilgrimage in country: LG Manoj Sinha

Jammu, Nov 29: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Monday 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.

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.

“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.kno