Vaishno Devi holy yatra resumed, Governor visits base camp

Jammu, Mar 13 (UNI) Thousands of people resumed their pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi shrine from the Katra base camp today after the authorities reopened the route.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha visited Katra, and took stock of the measures taken to evacuate stranded pilgrims in the wake of incessant rains and arrangements for their lodging, medical assistance and restoration of the yatra.

He expressed profound shock and grief over the death of four pilgrims due to hypothermia and one due to cardiac arrest and said the Board will assist in transporting the bodies to their hometowns.

''Whatever other assistance would be required will be considered,'' the Governor said, adding that in view of timely preventive measures taken by the Board officials, no causalty occurred due to land slide or shooting stones, a general phenomenon in mountains in the wake of rains.

Lt Gen Sinha expressed satisfaction over the safe arrival of around 5000 pilgrims to the base camp, who are lodged in safe shelters at various points of the 14-km long track and provided food, blankets and medicare.

''All the ailing pilgrims have been discharged from the hospitals and arrangements have been made to lodge those complaining fatigue or other minor ailments in 700-bedded Trikuta Bhawan. If need be, Shakti Bhavan in the town will also be opened for their stay. All those being lodged in these Bhavans would be provided free accommodation, food and other essentials,'' he said.

Lt Gen Sinha went round the rooms and dormitories besides kitchen to see the arrangements made for the pilgrims. He was accompanied by Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer Arun Kumar, Additional Chief Executive Officer Puneet Kumar and other high ranking police and Board officials.

The Governor met the pilgrims returning back from the Bhavan who were appreciative of the timely help extended by the Board enroute the base camp. ''In the given situation, more than this could not have been done,'' said a pilgrim.

''Water and power supply remained suspended for several hours. In the consequence, the water supply to Bhavan and other points got snapped due to snag in the feeders. The engineers are working and have succeeded in restoring operation of one feeder,'' Mr Kumar said.

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