Dulloo directs comprehensive SOPs for sanitation, disaster management
Srinagar : Chief Secretary, Atal DullooTuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the arrangements being put in place by the concerned Divisional and District Administrations for the smooth, safe and hassle-free conduct of the annual Machail Mata Yatra scheduled to commence in August this year in the mountainous region of Kishtwar.
The meeting, besides Additional Chief Secretary, PWD and Principal Secretary, Home, was attended by Director General, Fire & Emergency Services; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; IGP, Jammu; Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar; SSP, Kishtwar; Managing Director, JPDCL; Chief Engineer, Project Sampark and other concerned officers.
During the meeting, Chief Secretary thoroughly assessed the preparations for this year’s pilgrimage, focusing on safety and smooth operations. Key areas of assessment included sanitation measures managed by the Rural Development Department, as well as arrangements for water supply, power, medical facilities, transport management, and emergency response coordinated by relevant departments. The Chief Secretary also reviewed the implementation of safety measures established after last year’s disaster along the yatra route. This included the introduction of online and RFID-based registration systems, disaster mitigation strategies, and the installation of Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) and Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) for real-time weather monitoring. Detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were developed to ensure the safety and efficient movement of pilgrims throughout the yatra period. The Divisional Commissioner of Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, reported on the extensive accommodation arrangements being made in various locations, including Kishtwar headquarters, Gulabgarh, Chishoti, and Machail, to accommodate the anticipated influx of devotees. These arrangements include government accommodations, private lodging, homestays, and a dedicated tent city at Machail for pilgrims’ convenience. Emphasis was placed on crowd management and real-time monitoring of pilgrims through the implementation of 100 percent online registration and RFID tracking systems. The meeting highlighted the need for daily monitoring of pilgrim movement, adequate manpower deployment at sensitive locations, and enhanced inter-departmental coordination for effective yatra management. To ensure pilgrim safety, the administration is implementing landslide mitigation measures and strengthening monitoring systems at vulnerable areas along the route. Departments were instructed to maintain vigilance and ensure prompt responses to any weather-related emergencies during the pilgrimage. The Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, provided insights into the comprehensive traffic and transport management plans designed to facilitate smooth vehicular movement and timely restoration of road connectivity. This includes establishing designated parking areas, regulating traffic flow, and ensuring uninterrupted access for emergency response vehicles. The Chief Secretary further reviewed medical preparedness and emergency response arrangements, confirming the establishment of medical camps, ambulance services, emergency response teams, and first-aid facilities at key locations along the route. Adequate healthcare personnel and essential medicines are being organized to address any potential emergencies during the pilgrimage. Additionally, the meeting addressed arrangements for drinking water supply, uninterrupted electricity, communication facilities, sanitation, and solid waste management for this year’s yatra. Directions were issued for all departments to collaborate closely to ensure the efficient delivery of essential services while maintaining cleanliness and environmental protection along the pilgrimage route. The Chief Secretary reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensuring a spiritually fulfilling and incident-free pilgrimage, calling for coordinated efforts among all stakeholder departments and agencies for the successful conduct of the Machail Mata Yatra this year.
