From Peaks to Precautions: Amarnath Yatra Readies for Yatris

Srinagar: Preparations are intensifying for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra 2024, scheduled to commence on June 25 and continue until August 19. The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, has assured comprehensive arrangements for pilgrims, including accommodation, health facilities, and essential supplies.
Talking to Kashmir Horizon, Div Com Bidhuri said that emphasis is laid on installing signages on both axes of SANJY 2024 and at camps to provide information to pilgrims regarding nearby facilities, control room contact numbers, and more. He said that critical aspects, including fire safety measures, access control gates, establishment of transit camps, yatra registration, sanitation, disposal of solid waste, mobile toilets, drinking water facilities, and medical facilities, have been discussed with stakeholders. This year, the 62-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,880-meter-high holy cave shrine of Amarnath in the south Kashmir Himalayas is set to commence from June 25 via the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag and the shorter 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal.
Recently, Inspector General of Police (IGP) V.K. Birdi, along with DIG Rajiv Pandey and SSP Ganderbal Sandeep Gupta-IPS, held a joint security review meeting in Ganderbal to evaluate existing strategies and enhance security measures. “To overcome climatic challenges, the Mountaineering Rescue Team is undergoing training exercises in the rugged terrain of the Nud area in Samba district,” an official said. Comprising 1,300 well-trained soldiers, the team aims to ensure the safe passage of pilgrims through challenging landscapes. Currently, personnel from various security forces, including police, NDRF, and paramilitary units, are undergoing specialized training in the hilly terrain of Nud in Samba, he added. Additionally, 260 soldiers and officers, spanning seven batches, have completed their training, with additional batches undergoing rigorous instruction.
In preparation for the yatra, 230 doctors across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir have been tasked with issuing Compulsory Health Certificates (CHCs). Among them, 76 doctors will serve in the Kashmir division and 162 in the Jammu division. These certificates will be issued at district hospitals, community medical centers, including health centers, NTPHCs, and UPHCs. “Each pilgrim will receive a permit upon payment of Rs 150 at the bank. Group registration is also available for five or more pilgrims, with applications being accepted until May 31,” officials said. Group registrations will be processed on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis, with a registration fee of Rs 250 per pilgrim. Aadhaar Card, Health Certificate, and other relevant documents are mandatory for group registration applications. The administration remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all pilgrims undertaking the sacred journey to the Amarnath cave shrine. The Health Department Kashmir on Saturday conducted a training program on pre-hospital trauma care and management for 108 emergency medical technicians of JKEMS ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra. The training was held at the Regional Institute of Health and Family Welfare (RIHFW) Dhobivan in Baramulla. The training program was inaugurated by Principal of Regional Institute of Health and Family Welfare Dhobiwan, Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Bhat. He appreciated the 108 ambulance services, calling it the backbone of the health department. A spokesperson of DHSK said the program aimed to equip EMTs with advanced life-saving skills and to enhance their preparedness for deployment during the yatra. “The training focused on several key areas, including basic life support, environmental emergencies, traumatic patient assessment, medical patient assessment, respiratory emergencies, and triage in mass casualty incidents,” he said. Meanwhile, all healthcare arrangements are being put in place while special base hospitals are being set up atBaltal and Pahalgam ahead of the Yatra. This year, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has introduced several new interventions aimed to ensure hassle-free healthcare facilities during the annual Yatra which will commence in the valley on June 29.
Earlier this week, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Suchindra Kumar on Tuesday visited Old Air Field Military Station, Srinagar, to review operational preparedness. An Army spokesman said that the Army commander was briefed on various Counter-UAS tech advancements for combating unmanned aerial threats. He complimented the troops for their operational readiness and exhorted them to maintain a high state of morale. ADGP Law & Order J&K Vijay Kumar on Thursday chaired a joint meeting with officers of Police, Army, CAPFs, and other agencies at Police Control Room Kashmir. According to a Police spokesperson, “Threadbare discussions were made regarding overall security arrangements to be adopted for the safe, smooth, and incident-free conduct of SANJY-2024.” At the onset of the meeting, the participating officers briefed the chair about the security arrangements to be adopted for the smooth and peaceful conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2024. The officers present in the meeting shared their insights, past experiences, and recommendations, highlighting the importance of robust communication channels, coordination among various forces, and real-time monitoring systems. Deliberations focused on fortifying the existing security infrastructure, improving surveillance tactics, and bolstering personnel deployment along the pilgrimage route.
The meeting addressed cut-off timing vis-a-vis concerns regarding local and tourist movement during the Yatra to ensure minimal disruption and inconvenience. It was emphasized that Yatri or tourist vehicles would be taken to safe places or yatra camps en route if plying beyond designated cut-off timings at various points along the route. Concerned stakeholders were accordingly briefed on the protocol that prohibits Yatra and tourist vehicle movement beyond the specified timings. During the meeting, ADGP L&O and IGP Kashmir provided insights into the necessary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that must be adhered to throughout the Yatra. They also emphasized the importance of preparedness and proactive measures in mitigating risks and ensuring the safety and security of the yatris/devotees. They underscored the significance of collaboration among stakeholders and the implementation of robust contingency plans to effectively address any unforeseen challenges.