J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday reviewed preparations for the annual Machail Mata Yatra, with officials outlining measures to ensure the smooth, safe and hassle-free conduct of the pilgrimage scheduled to begin in August in the mountainous Kishtwar region.
The review was conducted during a high-level meeting attended by senior civil and police officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary, PWD; Principal Secretary, Home; Director General, Fire and Emergency Services; Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Inspector General of Police Jammu; Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar; Senior Superintendent of Police Kishtwar; Managing Director of JPDCL; Chief Engineer, Project Sampark; and other concerned officers.
During the meeting, Dulloo assessed arrangements related to sanitation, drinking water, power supply, healthcare, transportation and emergency response being put in place by various departments and district administrations for the pilgrimage.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the implementation of directions issued following last year’s disaster incident along the yatra route. Officials discussed measures including the introduction of online and RFID-based registration systems, disaster mitigation initiatives, installation of Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) and Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) for real-time weather alerts, and preparation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the safety and smooth movement of pilgrims.
Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar informed the meeting that extensive accommodation arrangements were being made at Kishtwar headquarters, Gulabgarh, Chishoti and Machail to manage the anticipated influx of devotees.
According to officials, government accommodations, private lodging facilities, homestays and tented accommodations are being expanded, while a dedicated tent city is also being developed at Machail for pilgrims.
Special emphasis was placed on crowd management and real-time monitoring of pilgrims through 100 per cent online registration and RFID-enabled tracking systems.
Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar also detailed arrangements for daily monitoring of pilgrim movement, deployment of personnel at sensitive locations and inter-departmental coordination for effective management of the yatra.
To improve safety along the route, the administration is undertaking landslide mitigation measures and strengthening monitoring systems at vulnerable stretches. Departments concerned were directed to maintain strict vigil and ensure immediate response to any weather-related emergencies during the pilgrimage period.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma briefed the meeting on comprehensive traffic and transport management plans aimed at ensuring smooth vehicular movement and timely restoration of road connectivity, wherever required.
He said designated parking areas would be established, traffic movement regulated and uninterrupted access ensured for emergency response vehicles.
The Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo also reviewed medical preparedness and emergency response arrangements. Officials informed the meeting that medical camps, ambulance services, emergency response teams and first-aid facilities would be set up at key locations along the route.
Adequate healthcare personnel and essential medicines are also being arranged to handle emergencies during the pilgrimage, officials said.
The meeting further reviewed arrangements related to drinking water supply, uninterrupted electricity, communication facilities, sanitation and solid waste management for the yatra.
Dulloo directed all departments to work in close coordination to ensure efficient delivery of essential services while maintaining cleanliness and environmental protection along the pilgrimage route.
Reiterating the administration’s commitment to ensuring a spiritually fulfilling and incident-free pilgrimage, the Chief Secretary called for coordinated efforts among all stakeholder departments and agencies for the successful conduct of this year’s Machail Mata Yatra.
(With IANS inputs)
