Tourism Dept packs activities calendar for Yatri engagement, augments existing facilities

Jammu: In order to ensure smooth pilgrimage for Yatris during the ensuing annual Amarnath Yatra, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sanjeev Verma Monday briefed the media about all arrangements being put in place by the Tourism Department besides elaborating on engaging activities scheduled during the Yatra period for the visitors to the state.
He said that Divisional and District administrations along with all concerned departments are geared up to ensure that everything is in place for the smooth stay of Yatris in the state.
Director Tourism Jammu OP Bhagat was also present on the occasion.
It was informed during the press conference that Directorate of Tourism, Jammu has made elaborate arrangements at the Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu for smooth and fair conduct of amaranth yatra by providing infrastructure and allied facilities like Medical services, Police Control Room, J&K SRTC Counter, Banking facilities, Information and Announcement booth, Cloak Room, Bedding Centre, Langer, Food Court, Cultural evenings, Pre-paid Sim Counters and Departmental Stalls.
Besides, efforts are under way to ensure wide publicity to the pilgrimage of Amarnathji Yatra in local and national newspapers along with displaying of welcome hoardings, information pamphlets and campaign through Radio providing all relevant details on various other tourist destinations in the region.
Further, it was informed that this year, Mobile Bio Toilets are being installed enroute Jammu to Banihal and Jammu to Pir Ki Gali at a distance of 30 Km each for ensuring hassle free movement of pilgrims from both the routes. Though, Mughal Road shall be used as an alternate route. There shall be ample Langers all along the route as per past practice. Besides, buses for pilgrims shall be lined up separately for both Pahalgam and Baltal routes at Yatri Niwas. This has been done to avoid any chaos while looking for the concerned route buses by the pilgri There shall be ample arrangements by the Song and Drama Division to entertain pilgrims during their stay at Yatri Niwas.
All the vehicles loading pilgrims for Amarnath Yatra shall be tagged which will help the authorities to trace them in case of any difficulty or deviation from their scheduled route. This has been done to ensure safety of the passengers.
The Directorate of Tourism Jammu has also lined up various events/activities in Jammu Region during the month of July, August and September, 2019 for promotion of tourism in the region including Summer Festival at Patnitop, Trekking to Jourian Wali Mata, Paddar Festival at Gulabgarh Gompa, Trekking from Gauri Kund to Maudlot (July, 2019); Water Sports Festival at Ranjit Sagar Lake, Basohli, Cycle Rally from Chenani to Dudu, Machail Yatra at Paddar, Trekking from Dudu to Kailash Kund, Kailash Yatra from Bhaderwah and Dudu (August, 2019); and Mela Pat, Rajouri Festival, World Tourism Day, Urs. Shahdra Sharief, Rajouri, Urs. Jamadar Sb., Darhal and Navratra Festival, Katra/Jammu (September, 2019).
Earlier, it was informed that the annual pilgrimage of Amarnath Yatra would commence from 1st July, 2019. The first batch of pilgrims will be flagged-off from the Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu on 30th June 2019 by Advisor to the Governor K.K.Sharma.