Amarnath Yatra: Orientation cum Coordinating Conference held at Pahalgam

Anantnag: Orientation and Coordinating conference for the ensuing Amarnath Yatra 2022 was held Wednesday here at Pahalgam Club. The conference was chaired by Major General SudhirBahl (Retd), Senior Consultant with NDMA. The conference was organised to brief the participants on disaster mitigation measures being put in place and to discuss the upcoming table top and mock drills to be held.
The Major General emphasized the role of JK Police, NDRF and SDRF teams in case of a disaster. He said that deployment plans should be shared with all concerned quarters. He also reviewed the operationalisation of the Joint Control Rooms set up for SANJY and stressed on continuous communication with Emergency Operation Centres at UT and District Level.
The Major General reviewed the mitigation tactics put in place. He inquired regarding deployment of volunteers and medical personnel along the route. He also reviewed the placement of medical emergency centers.
Further, he recommended that availability of various disaster mitigation teams, relief stores, and specialized deployments be shared with all concerned. He said that early warning systems are up and running and regular information regarding inclement weather conditions should be readily available to concerned camp directors and other officials.
Prior to this, Additional DC Anantnag briefed the chair regarding the disaster management plan. He said that the district has setup disaster management centres in various parts. He said that deployed officials have been trained in first aid and have been apprised of their role in case of a disaster.
He said that roles and responsibilities have been fixed at District as well as Tehsil Block levels and incidence response teams have been directed to remain alert to tackle any eventuality.
He said that track widening has been taken up at various points, lights are being installed to ensure Yatries can travel even in early and late hours, railings have been installed at various spots and loose stones are being removed from the track. Further registration of ponywallah, ponies and other service providers is nearing completion.
It is to mention that NDMA in collaboration with District Administration, SDRF and JK Police is scheduled to conduct table top and mock drill exercises. These will be scenario based tasks to check the readiness among designated teams and improvise the mitigation strategy.
The conference was attended by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Director Health, Dy commandant 1st RR, Commandant CRPF 14 BN, ADC Anantnag, SE R&B, CMO, SDM Pahalgam, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer, Executive Engineers of various implementing agencies among others.