Adequate food and water supply for Amarnath pilgrims

Srinagar June 30 (UNI) To ensure adequate water supply for pilgrims at Baltal and enroute the holy cave shrine of Amarnath, the Jammu and Kashmir Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has erected 640 water posts at Baltal, Dumail and Brarimarg so far.

In addition, one tanker has also been pressed into service to meet the requirements of the devotees, an official spokesman said.

He said the Health Department has treated more than 6000 patients besides conducting 87 X-rays, 58 ECG and 157 laboratory tests during the pilgrimage so far.

Apart from this, the Department of Indian System of Medicines has also set up various medical camps enroute the cave and treated more than 5000 patients during this period, the spokesman added.

He said adequate supply of ration, flour, sugar, kerosene oil and LPG has been kept available at Baltal and the holy cave to cater to the needs of the devotees during the pilgrimage.

The Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution department has provided 504 quintals of rice, 344 quintals of flour, 93 quintals sugar, 268 quintals wheat, 28890 lt of kerosene oil and 2428 gas cylinders at Baltal and the holy cave, the spokesman added.

He said apart from this adequate supply was available at both the places.

The spokesman said the Forest Department has issued 900 quintals of firewood at five camps set up for the purpose so far.

To cater the electricity needs, the PDD has erected 210 steel poles from Nilgrath to Baltal. One 63 KV distributor transformer and two with 35 KV capacity have been installed at Baltal and supplying electricity in the area to various agencies, he added.

Besides, the spokesman said one 40 KV and one 20 KV generators have been kept as stand by arrangement to meet any emergency during the pilgrimage.

Apart from this, streetlights have been fixed in and around the camp, he added.

UNI AG VD GC1659