Early Times Report
srinagar, July 11: In a major relief to stranded Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, the Jammu and Kashmir government today said the Centre has directed all the airlines to re-validate tickets of passengers who could not undertake the yatra due to the law-and-order situation in the Valley.
"The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has, at the government's request, issued directions to all the airlines to re-validate tickets of passengers who could not undertake their scheduled journey due to the situation in the past three days," Chief Secretary BR Sharma informed a high-level meeting chaired by Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhavan here today.
The Governor, who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), reviewed issues related to the ongoing yatra and advised the Chief Secretary to take up the matter with General Manager, Northern Railways to permit re-validation of tickets, provide additional coaches and, as necessary, even run special trains in view of the situation.
Observing that the majority of pilgrims and tourists come from other states, Vohra directed DGP K Rajindra Kumar to strengthen the safety and security arrangements further.
He asked the Chief Secretary to reiterate instructions to all departments and agencies to maintain sustained effective coordination and also to undertake an urgent review to ensure that all required arrangements, particularly essential supplies and medical support systems, were in place.
The Governor reiterated his direction to the CEO to maintain sustained contact with the local administration, state police and camp directors of all the yatra camps to ensure that the maximum possible number of pilgrims undertook the yatra.
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