CS reviews admin’s readiness for Amarnath Yatra

Jammu, Apr 1: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo Monday had a detailed review of preparations being made by the administration for the smooth conduct of the annual AmarnathJi Yatra 2024.

Senior functionaries of civil and police administration attended the meeting along with the Director General of Police (DGP), Administrative Secretaries, concerned Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and other HoDs and representatives from the Shri AmarnathJi Shrine Board (SASB) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), telecom service providers, and disaster management agencies.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary took stock of measures taken, so far, by BRO regarding the maintenance of tracks on both the Pahalgam and Baltal axis in light of the Supreme Court directions.

He assessed the status of works like the widening of walking tracks and passages and the installation of railing and retaining walls as per the directions of the Supreme Court.

He enquired from the concerned DCs about the disaster mitigation measures like on-ground demarcation of flood-prone and vulnerable zones and other disaster preparedness on the part of the divisional administrations, as was done during 2023.

He called for the demarcation of safer zones for holding langars and tentages for the yatris.

Dulloo also assessed the works to be done by the Rural Development Department (RDD) along with the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) to ensure adequate arrangements for sanitation during the yatra.

These included the installation of a requisite number of toilets and baths with the provision of a sufficient water supply, deploying a sufficient number of sanitation workers and supervisors, and carrying out scientific disposal of waste.

The Chief Secretary reviewed the measures to be taken by Health, Jal Shakti, PDD, Animal Husbandry, FCS&CA, Transport, IMD and Information Departments in providing hassle-free services to the yatris.

He even enquired from telecom service providers and disaster management agencies about their preparedness to make this year’s yatra successful.

During the meeting, the Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, who is also CEO of the shrine board, threw light on different aspects and facilities being extended by the administration to the pilgrims during the yatra.

He apprised the meeting of the best practices to be emulated this year from the yatra of 2023.

He also informed about the new measures to be taken on the part of the administration to make this annual yatra smooth and successful.