Dulloo directs early completion of works for smooth conduct of Amarnath Yatra
Jammu: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Wednesday chaired the 15th High-Level Committee (HLC) meeting of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) and impressed upon all line departments and stakeholders to ensure that comprehensive arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra are put in place well ahead of its commencement. Besides the DG Police the meeting was attended by the Administrative Secretaries of all the Departments, Senior officers from the civil administration, police, and other concerned departments. Deputy Commissioners attended the meeting through video conferencing.
Addressing the meeting Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of advance planning and timely execution for the upcoming yatra, directing various departments to complete all tendering, procurement, and contract processes within the next month. He highlighted that early finalization of works is essential for ensuring seamless arrangements before the pilgrimage begins. Safety was underscored as a top priority, with instructions for Divisional Administrations and Deputy Commissioners to identify disaster-prone areas along the Baltal and Pahalgam routes, prohibiting the installation of utilities in these high-risk zones. The Department of Disaster Management was tasked with coordinating the development and implementation of robust Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) to safeguard pilgrims, alongside assessing and enhancing holding capacities at camps and transit points. The Chief Secretary called for inter-departmental coordination to ensure that facilities for pilgrims and service personnel are adequate and ready well in advance. He reviewed the specific roles of each department and district administration, emphasizing the need for timely maintenance of power lines and completion of necessary works by the Jal Shakti Department along the yatra routes. Traffic management was also a focal point, with directives for comprehensive traffic plans to prevent congestion and ensure smooth movement for both pilgrims and locals. The Police Department was instructed to deploy sufficient personnel to maintain safety and security during the yatra. Health preparedness was prioritized, with orders to ensure adequate medical staffing and operational base hospitals at key locations, as well as strengthening health facilities along the route. The Health Department was advised to recruit additional medical staff as needed. The meeting discussed the requirement for only RFID-registered pilgrims with valid health certificates to participate in the pilgrimage, and the India Meteorological Department was tasked with providing daily weather updates to assist pilgrims in making informed decisions. Sanitation and cleanliness were reviewed, with directives for the installation of adequate toilets, bathing facilities, and uninterrupted water supply along the yatra track. Various departments were reminded to fulfill their routine responsibilities while enhancing capacity and ensuring backup plans. The Chief Secretary stressed the necessity for essential infrastructure, including lighting, water tanks, toilets, backup generators, public address systems, and communication towers, to be fully operational at each camp before the pilgrimage starts. The CEO of SASB provided an overview of previous arrangements and outlined requirements for the upcoming yatra, highlighting improvements and ongoing works. Divisional Administrations assured the Chief Secretary of comprehensive arrangements at all identified locations, confirming the provision of essential services such as power supply, health facilities, sanitation, and communication services, in accordance with the established standard operating procedures.
