On Wednesday, the administration handed over twin tracks leading to holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath from Baltal in Ganderbal district and Chandanwari in Anantnag district to the Border Roads Organization (BRO) for development, maintenance and management, as per Daily Excelsior.
As per local media reports, an order to this effect was issued today by Principal Secretary to Government, Public Works (R&B) Department Shailendra Kumar based on minutes of the meeting which cleared the proposal.
The administration accorded sanction for transfer of Chandanwari- Sheshnag-Panchtarni-Holy Cave and Baltal-Holy Cave tracks to the BRO for development, maintenance and management.
The administration also approved transfer of Ranga to Baltal road including Nilgrath to Y-Junction to the Border Roads Organization for development and maintenance.
“All contracts of Public Works (R&B) and Tourism Department will be completed by October 2022. All liabilities related to development of tracks will be cleared by March 2023,” the administration order said.
It added that statutory clearance, if in case it is required at any stage in the forest area, shall be obtained by the Border Roads Organization.
“The Supreme Court and other Court directions issued from time to time shall be implemented in letter and spirit and will be subject to any petition pending in the court of law,” the order read.
It said all project reports and work proposals shall be got approved from High Level Coordination Committee of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board for its execution. Besides, resources related issues shall also be placed in the Committee for its due redressal, it added.
The administration has, however, directed that all arrangements for development and maintenance of yatra tracks shall not disturb ongoing National Highway-501 works of development and Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation undertaken by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH), Government of India.