SRINAGAR: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Friday reviewed arrangements for the 18th annual Harmuk Gangbal Yatra, with officials directed to ensure adequate facilities, security and medical support for the three-day pilgrimage.
The yatra, being organised by the Harmuk Ganga Gangbal Trust (HGGT), is expected to draw around 150–200 pilgrims.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Jitin Kishore, SSP Traffic Rural, senior officials of the Roads & Buildings, Public Health Engineering, Traffic Police, Wildlife, Forest, Health and KPDCL departments, representatives of the Archaeological Survey of India and HGGT General Secretary Vinod Pandit.
Pandit briefed the meeting on the religious rituals scheduled during the pilgrimage, including Charri Puja at Naraan Nag Temple and Puja, Pind Daan and Shradha at Harmuk Ganga.
Garg directed the concerned departments to make advance arrangements for tents, bedding, drinking water and other essential facilities for the pilgrims. He also called for uninterrupted power supply through generators and adequate water availability throughout the yatra.
The meeting was informed that food and langar arrangements would be made by the HGGT.
The Divisional Commissioner directed the Health Department to deploy a fully equipped medical team with necessary medicines and equipment to address any medical emergency during the pilgrimage. He also instructed officials to earmark an area within the temple fencing exclusively for pilgrims.
The Floriculture Department was asked to arrange flowers for puja and temple decoration, while the Rural Development Department was directed to provide prefabricated toilet facilities.
Garg further directed the deployment of personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Civil Defence and asked security agencies to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the safe and smooth conduct of the yatra.
