Pahalgam 17 Jul : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that over 3.50 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy Amarnath cave shrine during the first 15 days of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, attributing the smooth and peaceful conduct of the pilgrimage to the blessings of Lord Shiva and the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders.
The Lieutenant Governor visited the Nunwan Base Camp in Pahalgam, where he inspected the facilities being provided to pilgrims and chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials to assess the arrangements for the ongoing yatra.
Speaking to reporters, Sinha, said the pilgrimage has been progressing smoothly with enthusiastic participation from devotees arriving from across the country.
“Today marks 15 days since the pilgrimage began, and more than 3.50 lakh pilgrims have had darshan of Baba Bholenath. By the grace of Baba Amarnath, the yatra is proceeding peacefully and smoothly,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor lauded the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, J&K Police, the Army, CAPFs and all other agencies involved in managing the pilgrimage, saying the arrangements made this year have been significantly strengthened to ensure the safety and comfort of devotees.
He said the annual pilgrimage is also expected to provide a substantial boost to Jammu and Kashmir’s economy by benefiting local businesses, transport operators, hoteliers, pony owners, labourers and other service providers.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to pilgrims to purchase locally made products, Sinha said the initiative would further strengthen the livelihoods of local artisans, traders and entrepreneurs.
Later, in a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said he had inspected the facilities at the Nunwan Base Camp and reviewed arrangements for the smooth conduct of the yatra.
He said the review meeting focused on essential services, including drinking water, electricity, telecom connectivity, accommodation and food facilities, adding that all departments have been directed to function in mission mode to ensure the welfare and convenience of pilgrims.
Sinha also noted that there was tremendous enthusiasm among devotees from across the country and appreciated the active support of local residents and service providers in making the annual pilgrimage a success.
