Court on its own Motion Vs. Union of India & Ors.
[Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 284 of 2012]
Swatanter Kumar, J.
1. Taking notice of the persistent press reports dealing with the poor arrangements and number of deaths that occurred during the yatra in the year 2012 to the holy cave of Amarnathji, the Court took suo motu action and issued notice to the Union of India, State of Jammu and Kashmir and the Chairman/President of the Amarnathji Shrine Board vide its order dated 13thJuly, 2012. It will be appropriate to reproduce the said order at this stage itself:-
"Today's 'The Times of India' and 'Hindustan Times' reports 67 deaths of pilgrims mostly because of the cardiac arrests as well for other reasons. As per these reports, this has happened in 17 days. Last year 105 persons died during the 45 days' yatra. Thus, this year it appears to be on the rise. In our considered view, the pilgrims have a constitutional right under Articles 21 and 19(1)(d) to move freely throughout the territory of India, free of fear, with dignity and safety and to ensure enforcement of such right is the primary obligation of the State and the Central Governments.
Where it is a matter of common knowledge that the yatra to the 'Holy Cave of Amarnath' is an occasion of privilege and pride for a devotee, there it is also a matter of great concern for the Government of India, the Government of the State of Jammu & Kashmir and the Amarnath Shrine Board. Some of the events that have been widely reported in the newspapers compel us to take a judicial notice of the lack of necessary facilities, essential amenities and the risk to the lives of the yatris, en route and around the "Holy Cave of Amarnath". On 3rdJuly, 2012, it was reported in the Hindustan Times, Delhi Edition, that two more pilgrims died of cardiac arrest on Sunday, taking the toll to 22.
Both the pilgrims were stated to be in their mid-thirties. One pilgrim was on her way to the holy shrine while the other was returning to Pahalgam Base Camp (Names: Ms. Anita Chourasia and Sadhu Ram). The same daily on 2nd of July, 2012 had reported that there were deaths of five more devotees as a result of cardiac arrest at the Pahalgam and Baltal Base Camps. These were the deaths reported to have occurred between 25thJune, 2012 to 2ndJuly, 2012 on the twin tracks of Baltal in Ganderbal and Pahalgam in Amarnath. This daily also reported that nearly 1.20 lakh pilgrims had so far paid obeisance to the shivalingam at the holy cave. This newspaper also showed the path and the weather conditions to which the yatris to the Holy Cave were exposed and the amenities that were available at the glacier.
The Times of India, New Delhi Edition on 29thJune, 2012 had reported that there was an unidentified body of 55-year old pilgrim which was recovered along the Pehalgam cave route in Anantnag district. Similarly, on 28th June, 2012, the Hindustan Times, while referring that the Management had directed increase of security at the yatri base camps to maintain proper schedule, had reported that the death toll within the first three days of the commencement of the yatra was six. The same newspaper dated 27thJune, 2012 had shown a photograph of the passage that more than 18000 pilgrims had visited the holy cave, which is at the height of 3,880 metres, in three days.
It showed one of the passages leading to the holy cave. From this picture itself, it is clear and even otherwise it is a matter of common knowledge that the path leading to the holy cave is not only very small but is even unprotected. The photographs also show that hardly any amenities are available for the yatris in and around the holy cave, though thousands of people who throng the holy cave have to wait for hours and days for having the darshan. It has also been published in other papers that in the initial days of the yatra, one person had died because of the fall from the height as there was no support or protection on the path leading to the holy cave.
The path somewhere is stated to be even less than six feet and does not have any grill or protection (like pagdandi), which could prevent the people walking on these constricted paths/passages from falling. All the palkis, horses and even the yatris walking on foot, travel on the same path at the same time, thus causing complete jams on the already tapered paths leading to the holy cave. With the passage of time, the things have hardly improved. We may refer to what was the situation was in the year 2011, as per the newspaper reports of the relevant/concerned year.
The Indian Express while reporting the commencement of the yatra in its newspaper dated 29th June, 2011 reported that nearly 2.5 lakh pilgrims had registered themselves for the annual pilgrimage with the Amarnath Shrine Board till the aforesaid date and 2000 pilgrims had already left the State of Jammu for the yatra. It also reported a very unfortunate incident where a person named Rajinder Singh, aged 55 years, resident of Jaipur had died due to cardiac arrest at Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district of Kashmir. Again on 1st July, 2011, the same paper reported that a group of men and women, young, elderly and children with their backpacks walked up the winding steep gradient of the road to the cave shrine. In this report reference was made to the statement of the public that there were no vehicles and it was very difficult for the pilgrims to travel and walk such long distances.
From Baltal route, 13,000 pilgrims left while 9000 pilgrims left from Chandanwari for darshan to the holy cave. With the increase in the number of pilgrims coupled with the poor management, it appears that there was a sharp increase in the casualty rate. In the Indian Express dated 6thJuly, 2011, it was reported that 18 yatris had died within a week of the commencement of the journey. This included elderly people as well as young victims. One Mr. Vikram Rathore, who died, was only aged 25 years. It appeared from this report that constraints on the availability of medical aid and medical examination is writ large.
The same newspaper on 8thJuly, 2011 reported that three more pilgrims died during the yatra raising the toll to 27. Even a constable namely Inderjeet Singh posted with 28 Battalion, Central Reserve Police Force (for short 'CRPF'), Srinagar, died of heart attack while returning from the cave. Another person aged about 54 years hailing from Gujarat also died of cardiac arrest at Sangam top much ahead of the shrine. Still another detailed article appeared in the Times of India dated 18th July, 2011 detailing the lack of facilities, referring to the rush of the pilgrims at the base points as well as at the holy cave. A pilgrim from Guwahati stated: "Half-an- hour after starting out for the shrine from Panchtarni, which is a place 6 km from the holy cave, we were trapped in a jam for close to two hours.
There was not an inch of space on the path. There was pushing and shoving as yatris got restless. A sudden movement or a horse or commotion in a section of the crowd could have caused a big stampede". Referring to the statement of an officer, the report stated that the pilgrims had to be regulated from the base camps and there was very little that the members of the Forces could do at the narrow pathways or the holy cave to control the situation. Nearly 22,000 pilgrims visited the shrine daily while the limit, as per the administration itself, was reported to be 3,400 per day only. It is again a matter of great regret that obviously because of lack of proper aid and amenities, the death toll had gone upto 85 on 21st July, 2011, as was reported in "The Hindu" of the even date. All these reports clearly showed disregard to the human life. Lack of facilities at the shrine and on the paths leading to the shrine is evident from all the afore stated articles and the photographs published therein.
This Court has repeatedly held that in terms of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, a person has a right to live with dignity and not be subjected to inhuman treatment, particularly in such places where large number of people are bound to visit because of their faith. It can also be hardly disputed that huge revenue is generated as a result of visit of large number of pilgrims to the Holy Cave. The Amarnath Shrine Board receives huge amount of money not only by way of offerings but also from the charges/fee it takes from the pony-owners, palkiwallahs as well as the helicopter services available between Baltal and Panchtarni. It is also evident that there is a complete lack of adequate essential amenities and facilities for the yatris who come to pay their tribute at the 'Holy Cave at Amarnath'. Lack of medical facilities and limitations of the officers/officials of the Forces are some other facets which need to be considered by the concerned authorities.
It also appears to be a very sensitive place from the environmental point of view and in terms of the provisions of the Environment Act, 1986 and the constitutional obligation placed upon the concerned authorities, it is expected that proper measures be taken to prevent such high death rate, controlling pollution and providing the requisite facilities and improving the services required for successful completion of such yatras. It is expected of a Government and the concerned authorities to devote more attention and provide appropriate amenities and facilities to protect the life of the individuals, the environment as well as ensure to make the yatra effective and successful, preferably without any human casualty. The authorities cannot shirk from their responsibility of providing minimum essential facilities including medical assistance, roads and other necessary infrastructure.
Visit of lacks of people to the State of Jammu & Kashmir generates revenue for the State, in fact, for the residents of that State and add to the need for better tourism facilities. The authorities are also expected to better equip the Forces posted at the holy cave, base points and en route to the holy cave. It is a settled canon of constitutional law that the doctrine of sustainable development also forms part of Article 21 of the Constitution. The 'precautionary principle' and the 'pollutor-pays principle' flow from the core value in Article 21.
The Supreme Court in its judicial dictum in the case of Glanrock Estate Pvt. Ltd. vs. State of Tamil Nadu (2010) 10 SCC 96 has held "forests in India are an important part of the environment. They constitute a national asset and intergenerational equity is also part of the Article 21 of the Constitution and cautioned that if deforestation takes place rampantly, then intergenerational equity would stand violated. Right to life is enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution which embodies in itself the right to live with dignity. The State is not only expected but is under a constitutional command to treat every citizen with human dignity and ensure equal treatment to all. In our considered view and as demonstrated by these newspaper reports, inhuman, unsafe and undesirable conditions are prevailing at the base camps and en route to the holy cave. The yatris do have a right and the State is under constitutional obligation to provide safe passages, proper medical aid, appropriate arrangement and at least some shelter to the thousands of yatris visiting the holy cave every day.
They are also expected to equip the forces deployed with appropriate equipments facilities and the authorities should ensure that no untoward incident occurs at the holy places. In our view, the following questions arise for consideration of the Court: -
1. Whether there exists proper medical facilities to prevent human casualties. Further to provide emergency medical aid in the event of these yatris falling sick because of cardiac and other related problems.?
2. What steps are being taken and have been taken to protect the environment in that area?
3. What essential amenities have been provided at the base camps and en route to the holy cave keeping in view that lakhs of people are visiting the shrine every day.
4. What measures are being taken and methods being adopted for collection and disposal of the waste including domestic and human waste generated by the yatrisen route and around the holy cave?
5. What are the facilities and equipments available, particularly for protecting or treating conditions such as dyspnoea, cardiac arrest and other heart related problems.
6. What is the cause for such high casualty rate and whether there exists the required medical equipments to ensure that in future such casualties can be avoided?
7. What measures and means are available with the authorities on ground for handling such huge crowd and why seven times the requisite number of people coming to visit the cave per day are being permitted and if so, whether there is requisite infrastructure at the site for handling such huge crowd?
The time intervening the previous and the current year clearly demonstrates that the authorities have not taken any effective and appropriate measures for protecting the life of thousands of devotees who visit the holy cave during this limited period, despite the print media repeatedly bringing this to the notice of all concerned. Thus, within the constitutional mandate of Article 21, this Court would have no option but to pass appropriate directions. All these aspects need to be taken care of by the concerned authorities certainly with greater emphasis and they cannot escape their obligation to provide minimum essential facilities including roads as an approach to the holy cave.
They are expected to equip their Forces posted in an around the cave so as to have complete human dignity for the persons working there as well as for the pilgrims coming to the holy cave. They are also expected to make appropriate arrangements for darshans at the holy cave so as to avoid health hazards and injuries, provide proper paths and one-way system passages to the pilgrims to the Holy Cave. Therefore, taking suo motu notice of the articles which are placed below and to appropriately deal with this serious subject, answer the above questions and evolve solutions within the framework of law, we require the following to appear and answer before this Court:
1. Union of India, through its Secretary.
2. Ministry of Environment and Forests, through its Secretary
3. State of Jammu and Kashmir, through its Chief Secretary.
4. Chairman/President of the Amarnathji Shrine Board. Issue notice, returnable within a week. Dasti.
2. "The notice was served upon the concerned respondents. The respondents filed their respective replies by way of affidavits on record. Vide order dated 20th July, 2012, when the petition was called on for hearing, the Court, after hearing the counsel appearing for the parties at some length, while noticing the lack of public amenities, facilities, health care and particularly the high rate of mortality and the need to take immediate and effective steps to remedy the same, constituted a Special High Powered Committee (for short 'SHPC'). This SHPC consisted of representatives from different Ministries of the Union of India, Chief Secretary and other officers of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, Director Generals of the Border Security Force and the Border Roads Organizations etc. The SHPC was expected to visit the site and make its recommendations in the form of a Report to the Court inter alia, on the following points: -
1. "Construction of proper passages, wide enough and with due support on both sides, for the traffic of pedestrian yatris, or horses and by palkis from Panchtarni to the Holy Cave.
2. Providing one-way passage with separate tracks, one for pedestrians and other for horses, carriages and palkis near the Shrine.
3. Providing of health check-up facilities on both the passages from baltal and Panchtarni to the Holy Cave.
4. Providing of proper public amenities and facilities on way and at the lower end of the glaciers near the Holy Cave.
5. All such other steps which are required to be taken for preventing unfortunate deaths of the yatris, going on yatra, to the Holy Cave.
6. Deployment of more forces and to provide better conditions of service for the members of the forces, posted on way and at the Holy Cave.
7. Environmental Impact Assessment.
8. The manner and methods to be adopted to attain the above, with least damage or interference with the environment of the entire zone right from Baltal to the Holy Cave from different routes.
9. Deployment of more medical teams, at regular distance on all the passages leading to the Holy Cave.
10. Registration of yatris at Jammu, Srinagar, Baltal and Panchtarni.
11. It should also consider the possibility of limited number of yatris being released from Srinagar to Baltal to ensure better management, hygiene, healthcare and betterment of the yatris, who stay there overnight.
12. Medical examination at the time of registration and on way.
3. "Thereafter, in the order dated 23rd July, 2012, the Court also noticed that within three days the mortality rate had gone up from 84 to 97which was a matter of great worry for all concerned.
4. The report of the SHPC was submitted along with the affidavit dated6th September, 2012, sworn by Sh. Madhav Lal, Chief Secretary to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. This report made its recommendations under eight different heads.
5. Besides dealing with the issues of health, environment, registration, access control & security, track conditions and other public amenities, the Report stated its recommendations under the head 'Summary of Recommendations'.
6. The counsel appearing for the parties, including for the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the Shrine Board, submitted before the Court that by and large, the recommendations of the SHPC were acceptable. In fact, they even assured the compliance of the recommendations, subject to statutory clearance from the different authorities. The Court noticed that the recommendations of the SHPC could be divided into two different classes: Short-term perspective and Long-term perspective. Short-time perspective involved the steps which the Government and the Shrine Board were to proceed to take forthwith and which required immediate attention of all the stakeholders. Long-term perspective included steps where the larger element of planning was involved and their compliance was likely to take some time. In that very order, the Court had directed immediate compliance of certain works at Baltal and surrounding areas. They related to sewage system (STP) at Baltal and widening of passage from Baltal to the holy shrine. The Chief Secretary of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the Shrine Board were directed to take appropriate steps for planning of matters relating to medical facilities, registration and other ancillary works including deployment of force and one way passage at the Shrine during the next yatra.
7. Vide his letter dated 4th December, 2012, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, informed the Additional Solicitor General that the affidavit of the State of Jammu and Kashmir had been perused incompliance with the orders of this Court and that the environmental issues had been correctly reflected therein, in accordance with the final report prepared by the SHPC and the Ministry was in agreement with the contents of the affidavit. Similarly, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, vide its letter dated 3rd December, 2012 had also informed the Additional Solicitor General that a meeting was held by the Union Health Secretary with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board to decide the further course of action on health issues in terms of the report of the SHPC. The issues also related to the States and the Union Territories, identifying the institutions for medical certification and augmenting manpower to support the efforts of the State Government. Inter alia, the points for attention were stated as follows:
i. "Identify Chief Medical Officer/Medical Superintendent/Block Medical Officer/other Government doctors authorized by the State Government for issuance of compulsory health certificate.
ii. Provide list of private medical institutions authorized by the State Governments to issue compulsory health certificate and
iii. Make available services of Specialists and General Duty Medical Officers to supplement the efforts of the Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir.
8. "From the above narration it is clear that the Union of India, its various Ministries, the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the Amarnathji Shrine Board were ad idem in regard to the contents and implementation of the report submitted by the SHPC. During the course of hearing of the petition, applications for intervention were filed, which have also been considered. The interveners and all other stake holders were heard at great length. During the course of hearing, certain further suggestions were made, which were found to be useful and in general public interest.
9. The scheme under the Indian Constitution unambiguously enshrines in itself the right of a citizen to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The right to life is a right to live with dignity, safety and in a clean environment. The ambit of Article 21 of the Constitution has been expanded by judicial pronouncements consistently. The judgments have accepted such right and placed a clear obligation on the part of the State to ensure meaningful fulfillment of such right. Article 21 of the Constitution, with the development of law has attained wide dimensions, which are in the larger public interest.
Furthermore, Article 19(1)(d) gives a citizen the right to move freely throughout the territory of India. This right, of course, like any other right is not absolute in terms or free of restrictions. This right, of course, like any other fundamental freedom is neither absolute in terms nor is free from restrictions. Article 19(5)subjects this right to imposition of reasonable restrictions which the State by law may enact. Such restriction has to be in the interest of general public or for the protection of interest of any Scheduled Tribe besides being reasonable and within its legislative competence. Article 25deals with the Right to Freedom of Religion, subject to public order, morality, health and other provisions stated in Part III.
All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion. Of course, again this right is subject to reasonable restrictions within the ambit of Article 25(2) of the Constitution. In light of these three Articles, now we have to examine which rights of the citizens are being violated and what is the scope of the present proceedings before the court and what directions, if any, the court can issue within the four corners of law. It has undoubtedly and indisputably come on record that the rights of yatris to the holy shrine enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, are being violated. There is admittedly lack of basic amenities and healthcare. The walking tracks are not only deficient but are also not safe for the pedestrians. The management and arrangements for the yatris at the glacier and near the Holy Shrine are, to say the least, pathetic. Keeping in mind the number of yatris who come to pay their homage at the Holy Shrine every year, the management suffers from basic infirmity, discrepancies, inefficiency and ill-planning. The Government of India, State of Jammu and Kashmir and the Shrine Board are under a constitutional obligation to provide free movement, protection and health care facilities along with basic amenities and proper tracks to be used by the yatris.
10. Now, we may examine the dimensions of the rights protected under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The socio-economic justice for people is the very spirit of the preamble of our Constitution. 'Interest of general public' is a comprehensive expression comprising several issues which affect public welfare, public convenience, public order, health, morality, safety etc., all intended to achieve the socio-economic justice for people. In the case of Consumer Education and Research Centre v. Union of India (1995) 3 SCC 42, this Court while noticing Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 (for short 'UDHR') asserted that human sensitivity and moral responsibility of every State is that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood." The Court also observed "the jurisprudence of personhood or philosophy of the right to life envisaged under Article 21,enlarges its sweep to encompass human personality in its full blossom with invigorated health which is a wealth to the workman to earn his livelihood, to sustain the dignity of person and to live a life with dignity and equality.
11. "Not only this, there is still a greater obligation upon the Centre, State and the Shrine Board in terms of Article 48A of the Constitution where it is required to protect and improve the environment. Article 25(2)of the UDHR ensures right to standard of adequate living for health and well-being of an individual including housing and medical care and the right to security in the event of sickness, disability etc. The expression 'life' enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution does not connote mere animal existence or continued drudgery through life. It has a much wider meaning which includes right to livelihood, better standard of living, hygienic conditions in the workplace and leisure. The right to life with human dignity encompasses within its fold, some of the finer facets of human civilization which makes life worth living.
The expanded connotation of life would mean the tradition and cultural heritage of the persons concerned. In the case of Consumer Education & Research Centre (supra), the Court discussing the case of C.E.S.C. Ltd. v. Subhash Chandra Bose[(1992) 1 SCC 441] stated with approval that in that case the Court had considered the gamut of operational efficacy of human rights and constitutional rights, the right to medical aid and health and held the right to social justice as a fundamental right. The Court further stated that the facilities for medical care and health to prevent sickness, ensures table manpower for economic development and generate devotion to duty and dedication to give the workers' best performance, physically as well as mentally. The Court particularly, while referring to the workmen made reference to Articles 21, 39(e), 41, 43 and 48-A of the Constitution of India to substantiate that social security, just and humane conditions of work and leisure to workmen are part of his meaningful right to life.
12. Security to citizens by the State is also a very sensitive issue. The State has to draw a careful balance between providing security, without violating fundamental human dignity. In the case of In Re : Ramlila Maidan Incident (2012) 5 SCC 1, the Court observed "the primary task of the State is to provide security to all citizens without violating human dignity. Powers conferred upon the statutory authorities have to be, perforce, admitted. Nonetheless, the very essence of constitutionalism is also that no organ of the State may arrogate to itself powers beyond what is specified in the Constitution.
13. "In Bhim Singh v. Union of India (2010) 5 SCC 538, while referring to the obligations of the State and its functions, the Court held: "53. it is also settled by this Court that in interpreting the Constitution, due regard has to be given to the Directive Principles which has been recorded as the soul of the Constitution in the context of India being the welfare State. It is the function of the State to secure to its citizens "social, economic and political justice", to preserve "liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship" and to ensure "equality of status and of opportunity" and "the dignity of the individuals" and the "unity of the nation". This is what the Preamble of our Constitution says and that is what which is elaborated in the two vital chapters of the Constitution on Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of the State Policy.
14. "Where it is the bounden duty of the State to protect the above rights of the citizen in discharge of its constitutional obligation in the larger public interest, there the law also casts a duty upon the State to ensure due protection to the forests and environment of the country. Forests in India are an important part of the environment. They constitute a national asset. We may, at this stage, refer to the concept of inter-generational equity, which has been treated to be an integral part of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The Courts have applied this doctrine of sustainable development and precautionary principle to the cases where development is necessary, but certainly not at the cost of environment. The Courts are expected to drive a balance between the two. In other words, the onerous duty lies upon the State to ensure protection of environment and forests on the one hand as well as to undertake necessary development with due regard to the fundamental rights and values.
15. From the analysis of the above, it is clear that the appropriate balance between different activities of the State is the very foundation of the socio-economic security and proper enjoyment of the right to life.
16. In the present case, as already noticed, there is hardly any dispute. In fact, all the parties are ad idem on the issue that much is required to be done before the State can claim that it has discharged its constitutional obligation in the larger public interest. In fact, the report of the SHPC has accepted the existence of lack of facilities, non-availability of proper health care, need for proper management, providing of proper passage/walking tracks and finally the basic amenities. The report proceeds on the basis that much is required to be done by the State and the Shrine Board. The State and the Shrine Board under the umbrella of the Union of India has to act in tandem, with great cooperation, coordination and objectivity so as to ensure protection of rights on the one hand and discharge of its obligations on the other.
17. With the passage of time and passing of each yearly yatra, the pilgrims' mortality rate has increased. Greater difficulties are faced by the pilgrims in relation to health care, public amenities and sanitation arrangements. Besides this, dire need exists for improvement of the walking tracks to the Shrine and proper management of separate one-way routes for horses and palk is as one unit and pedestrians as the other unit. With the passage of time, the number of yatris has increased. In the recent yatra held in the year 2012, nearly 18,000 pilgrims have paid their homage at the Shrine. It is a very complex issue comprising various facets. Steps are required to be taken including development of the area but with due regard to the environmental and forest issues. The SHPC had held various meetings, deliberated on various aspects and problems and after considerable deliberation and efforts, have submitted the report dated 6thSeptember, 2012. Under Chapter IX of this report, the SHPC has submitted the summary of recommendations. These recommendations read asunder :
"SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
9.1 Through its various Orders, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has referred to several issues connected with the Amarnathji Yatra and directed the SHPC to make recommendations in regard thereto. While the SHPC's recommendations, issue-wise, are summarized in the paragraphs below, these may be read in conjunction with the context, observations and rationale discussed in detail in Chapters 1- 8.
9.2 HEATH ISSUES
9.2.1 The following issues were required to be examined by the SHPC:
a. Providing of health check-up facilities on both the passages from Baltal and Panchtarni to the Holy Cave.
b. All such other steps which are required to be taken for preventing unfortunate deaths of the yatris, going on yatra to the Holy Cave.
c. Deployment of more medical teams, at regular distance on all the passages leading to the Holy Cave.
9.2.2 The SHPC has made the following recommendations vis-avis the issues listed above:
9.2.3 The SHPC endorses the requirement of every Yatri furnishing a Health Certificate while seeking Registration for the pilgrimage. It also considers it necessary that the format of the Compulsory Health Fitness Certificate should be revised to specifically reflect the existing ailments from which applicant-Yatri may be suffering.
9.2.4 An Expert Medical Committee (three Medical Specialists to be nominated by Union Health Ministry and one Medical Specialist to be nominated by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir) should review the format of the existing Compulsory Health Certificate and suggest suitable modifications therein, as required. State Health Secretary shall serve as the Convener of this Committee which will also prescribe a check-list for issue of the Certificate and its standard format.
9.2.5 There is need to reconsider the authority competent to issue the Compulsory Heath Certificate, which is currently being done by any Registered Medical Practitioner. The same should now be issued by the Chief Medical Officer/ Medical Superintendent I Block Medical Officer/ Government Doctors authorized by the concerned State Government Health authorities. State Governments and Union Health Ministry will also provide lists of reputed Private Medical Institutions, located in areas within their respective jurisdictions, which may be authorised to issue Health Fitness Certificates. CEO, SASB, shall compile State-wise lists of such authorized institutions and arrange to provide the widest possible publicity to such lists through all possible means.
9.2.6 The medical facilities should be rationally dispersed and relocated on the basis of critical assessments. A Committee comprising the State Secretary Health, CEO SASB, Director Health Services (Kashmir) and one senior officer each from Army, BSF, CRPF and ITBP should review the existing locations of all Medical Aid Centres (MACs) and rationalize the location of MACs and, wherever necessary, increasing the number of MACs to ensure that these are located at regular intervals/ distances from each other and not in a cluster. Well equipped and staffed MACs should be set up at Sangam and in Holy Camp Lower Camp area. ITBP (which has considerable experience of organizing medical aid for Mansrovar Yatra) should be asked to set up at least two MACs in the lower Holy Cave and Sheshnag areas. They could perhaps set up more MACs in subsequent years.
9.2.7 There is need for establishing a well organised MAC, along with adequate number of Rescue Volunteers, in the Lower Cave and Sangam Top areas and also at other locations like Kalimata Top, Railpathri, Nagakoti, Wavbal etc.
9.2.8 Keeping in view that a fair percentage of pilgrims prefer Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM), an increased number of ISM medical camps could be provided at suitable locations along both the routes.
9.2.9 The Union Health Ministry and the States (particularly those from where a relatively larger number of pilgrims arrive) should be moved to provide the services of Specialist doctors, as well as GDMOs, to supplement the efforts of the State Government.
9.2.10 The Union Health Ministry should facilitate timely arrangements for appropriate training in High Altitude Sickness Management being provided to doctors and paramedics of the J & K Health Department who are to be deployed on Yatra duty.
9.2.11 The Union Health Ministry should enable experienced Specialists to advise the State Health authorities regarding the medicines, medical equipments etc. which should be provided in MACs located in the high altitude areas. The Union Health Ministry should also supplement the efforts of the State to provide the required equipments/medicines, particularly in regard to the provision of portable Hyperbaric Chambers for on- the-spot decompression of sick Yatris at identified Medical camps.
9.2.12 The possibility of providing special insulated tents or Prefabricated Huts or completing the pucca structures to house medical facilities therein should be timely explored and the needful done by the State Health Department with the required support, as needed, from the Union Health Ministry.
9.2.13 The MACs at Holy Cave, Sangam, Panjtarni, Sheshnag and Poshpathri should be housed in larger tents/structures in which temperatures at 25-26 degrees can be maintained for effective patient care. The State Health Department should procure suitable tents/ prefabricated huts for this purpose.
9.2.14 A Committee comprising CEO, SASB (Convenor), one High Altitude Medicine Specialist (to be nominated by the Union Health Ministry) and one Medical Specialist (to be nominated by the State Health Department) will prepare an appropriate food menu which shall be adhered to by the Langar Organizations. All other food items/ junk food should be banned and not allowed to be served on the Yatra route.
9.2.15 The SASB should make the Yatris better aware of the challenges and the medical problems they are likely to face when they embark on an arduous trek and devise a suitable communication strategy in this regard. The support of the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry should be sought for creating enhanced awareness among the pilgrims through airing and screening of Documentaries, Public Interest Messages (of both short and long duration) on AIR and Doordarshan National and Regional Channels and besides, through private radio/TV channels.
9.2.16 The SASB should publish pamphlets in other regional languages, in addition to Hindi and English, since a good number of pilgrims hail from States which have different languages. It would be useful for the SASB to also arrange broadcast of public interest messages in regional languages through television, radio and print media.
9.2.17 More Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs) should be deployed at identified points along both the Yatra routes, in future pilgrimages. J & K Police should deploy about 6 MRTs in the Yatra area in the next three years and Union Ministry of Home Affairs should provide the necessary resources/ support for arranging specialised training and the latest equipments for the MRTs.
9.2.18 Principal Secretary, Home, J & K, will convene a meeting of all Security Forces, at least two months before the Yatra, to prepare a detailed SoP for the immediate evacuation of ill/injured pilgrims, with the help of the resources available with State Disaster Management Authority, Air Force and SASB. This meeting should also explore the possibility of providing the facility of air ambulance to evacuate critically ill/injured persons who need to be shifted most immediately.
9.2.19 CEO SASB could explore involving identified NGOs I private players to provide the required assistance to unattended sick I injured pilgrims, at both the Base Camps. This would relieve the personnel at the MACs who can then devote better attention to the other sick patients.
9.2.20 The SASB should examine the possibility of the Indian Red Cross Society' being involved in enlarging awareness and sensitization of pilgrims. Some of their volunteers could also be engaged for rendering useful health related services.
9.3 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
9.3.1 The following issues were required to be examined by the SHPC
a. Providing of proper public amenities and facilities on way and at the lower end of the glaciers near the Holy Cave.
b. Environmental Impact Assessment
c. The manner and methods to be adopted to attain the above, with least damage or interference with the environment of entire zone right from Baltal to the Holy Cave from different routes.
9.3.2 The SHPC makes the following recommendations vis-a- vis the issues listed above:
9.3.3 While recognising that the SASB has been cognizant of-the vital need to protect the integrity of the environment and has undertaken several measures in this regard, the SHPC notes that it is essential to strengthen these measures through environmental impact assessments and studies being undertaken at regular intervals, on different aspects of the Yatra, to examine, inter-alia, the impact of the flow of several lakh pilgrims, sanitation and solid waste management, quality and availability of water etc. The SHPC also reiterates that statutory Environmental Impact Assessment shall be conducted whenever so mandated.
9.3.4 Keeping in view the low temperature which prevails in the Yatra area and the need to maintain adequate distances from the nearest water bodies, to avoid any contamination of the waters, CEO, SASB, would need to consult experts to identify the most appropriate technological designs and solutions for the functioning of an optimal number of toilets in the Holy Cave area. CEO, SASB may also explore the possibility of using bio- digester based toilets developed by DRDO for Army camps in the high altitude areas. As tourist arrivals have also been increasing progressively, it would be profitable if Secretary Tourism, Secretary PHE and CEO, SASB coordinate efforts to identify the best available technology options. Such a collective approach would also contribute towards the required investments being cost effective.
9.3.5 The SHPC is of the opinion that the STPs at the Baltal and Nunwan Base Camps need to be technically evaluated and, upgraded as required. In this context, the SHPC was informed about the implementation of the "Recommendations of the Study on the Technical Evaluation of the STPs" which was conducted (in August 2012) by scientists from Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, at the instance of SASB. This study recommends, interalia, that the existing capacity of the STPs should be enhanced to improve the retention time of the waste disposal system and to ensure effective treatment of waste.
9.3.6 The SHPC also recommends the need to find an urgent appropriate solution for the treatment of the Langar waste, which is high on grease and biological material.
9.3.7 The SHPC recommends that the State Public Health Engineering Department should provide the infrastructure to ensure regular water supply at suitable identified locations, wherever feasible, on the route of the Yatra Camps to enable SASB to set up toilet facilities for the convenience of Yatris. CEO SASB would need to ensure that all toilets have waste disposal systems and are duly covered under SASB's Sanitation Contract, so that the facilities are maintained in a hygienic and environmentally safe manner. It would be useful to increase the number of toilet facilities which service the Langars located along the Yatra route.
9.3.8 To counter the ever increasing use of plastic in the Yatra area, the SHPC recommends the following:
a. The State Government should direct the concerned law enforcement agency(ies) to take all required steps, on a time bound basis, to enforce the current statutory ban on the use of plastic.
b. SASB should progressively arrange facilities for drinking water filters being set up at Camps and Langar sites to discourage the use of water bottles in the Yatra area. The aim should be to provide a viable alternative to plastic water bottles in due course. The SASB could also consider introducing a "deposit amount" scheme under which the deposit is returnable when the beverage bottle is brought back to the disposal site.
c. Pictorial signage (in place of the existing signage in Hindi and English) should be used at all prominent places. This would be helpful in also educating the Yatris about the need to keep the Yatra area free from plastic materials.
d. The SASB should suitably revise the existing Terms and Conditions of the permissions given to Langar Organisations to ensure that that no plastic material is used for serving food and beverages to the Yatris. There should be adequate monitoring of the implementation of these conditions and all cases of non-adherence must be penalised severely.
9.3.9 All biological waste should be disposed off in compost pits, which should be built in the Langar areas. The Langar Organisations must be made fully responsible for ensuring the segregation and safe disposal of wastes. Further, no Langar site should be cleared without the availability of mandatory facilities for waste segregation and disposal. SASB should establish a suitable monitoring mechanism in this regard. The Terms and Conditions of the permission given to the Langar Organisations must be revised to include the aforesaid conditions as also a provision for the imposition of stringent penalties in the case of any default.
9.3.10 The SHPC suggests that an increased number of garbage bins, with pictorial signage for segregating bio- degradable waste from non bio-degradable ones, would further reduce littering in the Yatra area.
9.3.11 The concerned District Administrations must identify the sites and create this infrastructure expeditiously as per the Municipal Solid Waste Rules, in consultation with the SPCB. This infrastructure is vital, not only for the Yatra, but also for the growing number of tourists and other business visitors in the larger area.
9.3.12 It must be ensured that after the dismantling of Yatra Camps and Langers, consequent to the conclusion of the Yatra, all solid waste is collected and properly disposed off by the relevant authorities. CEO, SASB, should in consultation with SPCB, put in place an appropriate monitoring mechanism in this regard.
9.3.13 The State R & B Department should urgently upgrade the road from RangaMorh to Domail so that it is able to withstand the very heavy traffic during the Yatra period and the problem of dust and mud is controlled.
9.3.14 The SPCB should conduct analytical studies every year to monitor the quality of water in Lidder and Sindh rivers and share the findings, along with actionable suggestions, with SASB and the State Government. The SPCB also needs to early upgrade its own testing facilities.
9.4 REGISTRATION, ACCESS CONTROL & SECURITY
9.4.1 The following issues were required to be examined by the SHPC
a. Registration of yatris at Jammu, Srinagar, Baltal and Panchtarni.
b. It should also consider the possibility of limited number of yatris being released from Srinagar to Baltal to ensure better management, hygiene, healthcare and betterment of the yatris, who stay their overnight.
c. Medical examination at the time of registration and on way.
d. It should be examined by SHPC in its meeting if a transparent device made of glass, fiber or any other material, which is scientifically permissible, be placed at the Cave where iron grills have been fixed as of now. The iron grills serve no required purpose. Firstly, - it obstructs the view of the yatris during darshan and secondly, they are not safe and even pass the human heat which results in early melting of the Shivalingam.
9.4.2 The SHPC makes the following recommendations vis-a- vis the issues listed above:
9.4.3. The SASB will continue to determine, from year to year, the maximum number of pilgrims to be allowed to embark on the tracks, after taking into consideration the weather condition and forecasts, track conditions, infrastructure available in the enroute Camps and at the Holy Cave (which would include the handling capacity at the Shrine), other required facilities etc. Once the required decisions have been communicated by the CEO, SASB, the Police shall ensure that the number of pilgrims who are allowed to cross over the Access Control Gates possess valid Yatra Permits for that date and route.
9.4.4 CEO, SASB, should arrange the widest possible publicity of all registration related matters, particularly in the States from where larger numbers of pilgrims arrive. Further, Public Interest Messages would also need to be broadcast through radio, television and print media, particularly in the regional languages.
9.4.5 On-Spot registration of pilgrims at Srinagar and Base Camps of Baltal and Nunwan should be discouraged. A pilgrim seeking advance registration, in his home State, provides a useful opportunity to educate him about the difficulties involved in the journey, health related precautions, Do's and Don'ts, basic minimum clothing I accessories required etc. Further, the period after registration and before commencement of the Yatra would enable the pilgrim to prepare himself suitably to proceed on a difficult pilgrimage.
9.4.6 As in the case of advance registrations, On-Spot registrations should also specify a specific date and route for the applicant to commence his journey. The pilgrim may be allowed to commence his Yatra on the same day only if the number of pilgrims registered for that particular date is below the registration ceiling prescribed by the SASB.
9.4.7 There should be strict compliance of allowing only those pilgrims who possess valid Yatra Permits for that date and route to cross the Control Gates. To facilitate the Police personnel deployed at the Access Control Gates in determining whether the Yatri possesses a valid Yatra Permit for the given date and route the SASB may adopt colour coding of Yatra permits i.e. the Yatra Permit would be of a given colour for each day of the week.
9.4.8 Effective enforcement at the Access Control Gates would be crucial for securing satisfactory Yatra management. The District Magistrate and the District Police will be responsible for enforcing effective Access Control.
9.4.9 The pilgrims should be released in batches, reasonably spread out over a specified period in the day, to avoid any congestion on the tracks. The SHPC also suggests that SASB may consider indicating the "reporting time" on the Yatra Permits, along with the date and route of the pilgrimage.
9.4.10 The SHPC recommends that the J & K Police and Central Armed Police Forces should enlarge the provision of basic requirements like tents, bedding, toilets etc. to their personnel deployed on Yatra duty, in order to provide them better working conditions.
9.4.11 Regarding the matter related to provision of a transparent device made of glass, fiber etc, the SHPC is of the considered opinion that the SASB is the right forum to decide any issue related to the preservation of the Ice Lingam in the Shrine and taking all required steps for providing satisfactory Darshans.
9.5 TRACK CONDITIONS
9.5.1 The following issues were required to be examined by the SHPC a) Construction of proper passages, wide enough and with due support on both sides, for the traffic of pedestrian yatris, on horses and by palkis from Panchtarni to the Holy Cave. b) Providing of one-way passage with separate tracks, one for pedestrians and other for horses, carriages and palkis near the Shrine. c) The manner and methods to be adopted to attain the, above, with least damage or interference with the environment of entire zone right from Baltal to the Holy Cave from different routes.
9.5.2 The SHPC makes the following recommendations vis-a- vis the issues listed above:
9.5.3 Keeping in view the need to provide safe and smooth passage to the Yatris, particularly during the peak Yatra period, when there is acute congestion on the tracks due to simultaneous movement of pedestrian Yatris and those on ponies/ palkis in the limited space that is available, and also keeping in view the environmental concerns, the Committee recommends that the following works should be approved and taken up for implementation on a fast track basis:
Improvement of critical stretches of the existing track from Baltal to Holy Cave as per the preliminary details presented in Annex. - 4, to be implemented by the State PWD, with the assistance, as may be required, from other organizations such as Border Roads Organisation (which can mobilise in the area quickly). Provision of one-way passage with separate tracks, one for the pedestrians and other for the horses/ palkis, near the shrine to be implemented by the Pahalgam Development Authority. Improvement of existing track from Panjtarni to Holy Cave as per the preliminary details presented in Annex. - 4 to be implemented by the Pahalgam Development Authority. Proposal of Pahalgam Development Authority to improve the track from Chandanwari Base Camp to Panjtarni.9.5.4 While it would have been an ideal situation if it were possible to complete the upgradation works before the commencement of the Yatra 2013, the SHPC is conscious of the fact that a two month working period would be available in the current year, after which the entire area would be snow bound/inaccessible. Furthermore, in 2013 also, very little time would be available for carrying out works after the snows melt around mid to end June, and till the time the Yatra commences. It is also to be kept in view that, at some places, areas under forests, wildlife sanctuaries or eco-sensitive zones may be involved, and clearances under relevant protection/conservation laws may be required, which may also take time. The SHPC, therefore, recommends early implementation of these works with as much as possible progress during the current working season and before the commencement of next Yatra (2013) and ensuring that these are completed before the working season of 2013 is over. The State Government should provide the required funds for the above listed four works. Wherever clearances are required under the related Environment laws, the matter should be processed on a time bound basis by all concerned authorities, to ensure the completion of all the aforesaid works before the end of October, 2013.
9.6 OTHER PUBLIC AMENITIES
9.6.1 For Yatra 2012, Temporary Transit Camps had been set up for the overnight stay of Yatris at Qazigund and Mir Bazar (Anantnag District) and at Manigam and Yangoora (Ganderbal District). If these facilities are placed on a firm footing and suitably upgraded, they can be profitably utilised to meet the growing demands of tourism, and for other suitable purposes, before and after the annual Yatra. The SHPC recommends that all required facilities, viz. shelter, toilets, water, power supply, etc should be provided at the aforesaid and other Transit Camps before commencement of Yatra 2013.
9.6.2 The Department of Telecommunications should be moved to take all necessary steps for providing inter-connectivity in the Yatra area so that the Yatris having non-BSNL mobile connections do not face any difficulty during Yatra 2013.
9.6.3 For Yatra 2013, the number of Automatic Weather Stations should be augmented to cover Chandanwari, Pahalgam and Baltal and a Doppler Radar should be set up at IMD Campus, Srinagar, on urgent basis as this facility will be able to provide accurate weather forecasts round the year in the entire Valley.
9.6.4 The State Government has provided funds to the State Public Health Engineering Department for laying underground water supply lines at Baltal Base Camp. This work should be completed before the commencement of Yatra 2013.
9.6.5 The State Animal Husbandry Department should register only an, assessed number of ponies to ensure against overcrowding on the tracks. Likewise, the Labour Department should assess the number of Palkis/Dandis to be allowed to operate on the tracks, route-wise, every year.
9.6.6 While noting the useful arrangements which are being assisted/ provided by the various concerned State Government Departments for the smooth conduct of the annual Yatra, the SHPC is of the view that the Yatra requirements require to be reviewed from time to time. In this context, the SHPC notes that the High Level Committee (HLC), which is convened by CEO, SASB, and chaired by State Principal Secretary Home, has served a useful purpose in 2012 and recommends that the HLC should continue to function, to overview the problems of future Yatras, with similar or modified terms of reference, as may be necessary. The HLC should prepare an Annual Action Plan, immediately after the Yatra is over, which clearly indicates the gap to be filled, the implementing agency, requirement of funds and the time frame for implementation. The SHPC also recommends that all the recommendations made by this HLC in 2011 be fully implemented before the commencement of Yatra 2013.
9.6.7 A Committee to be chaired by the concerned District Magistrate should be set up to grant permissions for the setting up of tents and shops at each Camp location, taking into account the overall availability of space, the number of tents/shops which are required to be set up, ensuring that the tents, beddings etc are of the specified quality/standard.
18. "The learned counsel appearing for the parties have made submissions and suggestions, while taking the above report to be the very foundation of their submissions. In other words, attempts were made before the Court to improve upon the recommendations in order to make them more effective. One of the points, on which submissions were made before the Court related to improvement of medical facilities.
Firstly, it was suggested that each State in the country should identify the medical institutions/hospitals, run by or under the control of the State Governments, to issue 'health certificates' upon examining the persons who are desirous of going for yatra to the Holy Cave in the future. Secondly, it was suggested that specified medical officers of these hospitals should be required to give the said health certificates. Lastly, the States, particularly the neighbouring States like, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, should be requested to send teams of doctors on temporary duty to the State of Jammu & Kashmir to be posted at Srinagar, Baltal or enroute to the Holy Shrine.
It will be desirable that such team of doctors be acclimatized before being deputed to the higher altitudes. It is suggested that they ought not to be posted at very high altitudes. Deployment of the medical teams at Panchatarni, Baltal and Srinagar and enroute to the Shrine shall serve the interest of health care and public interest. We make it clear that deployment of medical teams en route should be at regular distances, with a gap not exceeding two kilometres. There shall be greater number of doctors from the State of Jammu and Kashmir that should be deployed at and around the holy Shrine and they shall be provided with complete equipment, medicines and all other infrastructure to ensure rendering of proper medical assistance to the people who suffer from any health issue at that point. These issues, to some extent, have been discussed in the report of the SHPC. However, we are only clarifying their final aspects.
19. The passages or the walking tracks, besides being widened require rough surface so as to prevent slipping and falling of the pilgrims. It is conceded before us that presently the width of the track is very less to accommodate palkis, horses and pilgrims moving at the same time. More often than not, jams are noticed which spread over furlongs. The uncertainty of weather exposes the pilgrims, particularly, the pedestrians, to rain, chilly winds and sudden fluctuations in temperature and thus they fall ill. Due to high altitude, many of them also suffer from hypoxia. Thus, there has to be a regular width of the track which in any case should not be less than 12 feet and may be wider than that if so recommended by the Committee concerned.
These tracks should duly provide protection or any other support towards the open sides. It may by iron grills, supporting walls etc. as may be considered appropriate by the Committee. This may include realignment of the passage, construction of retaining wall/railing. We must not be understood to have ordered directly or indirectly, construction of any motorable mettled road in place of walking tracks. However, we hasten to clarify that it is not only improvement of the road at critical portions but the entire track needs to be improved, particularly from Panchtarni to the Holy Cave.
20. STPs are intended to be constructed at various places, particularly at Baltal. We were informed that the clearance from various departments is awaited. However, the learned Advocate-General appearing for the State of Jammu Kashmir had informed us that the matter is pending in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and they will be able to get permission for raising construction shortly. We make it clear that all Government departments shall fully coordinate and grant such permissions as are required in accordance with law and expeditiously. We further make it clear that pendency of any proceedings before the High Court would not come in the way of construction of STPs in any manner whatsoever. It is for the reason that this is absolutely essential for maintaining proper sewage system and cleanliness in the areas where large number of persons come and stay overnight or even for a longer period. It was commonly conceded before us that the Shrine Board would provide fabricated toilets and if necessary even the pre-fabricated pathway at and around the Holy Shrine.
21. In its report, the SHPC at para 7.18 has noticed that quality of tents existing at various camps and sites needs improvement. The existing tents were found deficient in all respects. One of the applicants before this Court, M/s. Piramal Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. (In I.A. No. 4 of 2012), had volunteered to provide any help at a large scale that may be required by the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the Board to facilitate the trav