SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday with civil administration and police to assess the preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, 2023. The meeting aimed to ensure the smooth conduct of the yatra in accordance with the directions from the Supreme Court.
Dr Mehta highlighted that the yatra holds immense religious significance and should serve as a benchmark in religious tourism. The yatra has a significant impact on both the economy and composite culture. He emphasised the need for arrangements that create a memorable experience for the pilgrims, allowing them to enjoy their spiritual journey amidst nature without rushing to cover more distance.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary personally evaluated the civil works related to the smooth conduct of the yatra, taking input from the concerned departments and Deputy Commissioners. He inquired about the arrangements and backup plans made by each district for reliable accommodation, water, and electricity facilities.
Dr Mehta directed the Divisional and District Administrations to ensure that no Langar, tenement, or other services are established in disaster-prone areas. He urged the respective Deputy Commissioners to certify this before the commencement of the yatra. He also emphasized the deployment of adequate personnel from NDRF, SDRF, and mountain rescue teams at vulnerable spots along the Holy Cave route.
The Chief Secretary stressed the importance of providing an appropriate number of washrooms, dustbins, and sanitation workers at each location. He emphasised the need to ensure that all base camps and sites are comfortable, clean, and hygienic using modern techniques, particularly in Langar areas. He requested the deployment of sufficient manpower for the maintenance of public utilities and the provision of necessary equipment.
Furthermore, Dr Mehta emphasised that all departments should prominently display their achievements from the moment pilgrims enter the Union Territory at Lakhanpur until they reach the holy cave. He also emphasized the improvement and beautification of entry points at Lakhanpur, railway stations, and airports in J&K.
Dr Mehta asked the Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag and Ganderbal to personally inspect both routes to the holy cave and ensure that all critical protective works have been satisfactorily carried out. He instructed them to ensure proper cleanliness and illumination of all routes and areas to create a festive ambience throughout the Union Territory.
He further mentioned that self-help groups registered under JKRLM, Mission Youth, and other agencies should be given the opportunity to showcase their products along the yatra route. He also called for ample opportunities for locals to conduct their businesses in compliance with the respective trade regulations.
The Chief Secretary took note of all the preparations made by departments such as Health, Jal Shakti, PDD, PWD, RDD, H&UDD, BRO, Shrine Board, and the divisional and district administrations. He instructed them to ensure high-end arrangements with inter-departmental coordination to ensure efficient and timely execution.
During the meeting, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, who is also the CEO of the Shrine Board, presented a detailed overview of the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of this year’s yatra.
It was revealed that nearly 4,000 sanitation workers and 12,000 service providers would be engaged this year to provide various services to the pilgrims. Additionally, it was mentioned that RFID passes, issued after Aadhaar-based eKYC of each registered yatri, would be implemented to improve management and prevent overcrowding and rush during the yatra.
Moreover, it was highlighted that all facilities have been upgraded this year, with provisions for better health, connectivity, telecom, water, electricity facilities, along with a comprehensive disaster mitigation plan.
The meeting disclosed that accommodation facilities for approximately 70,000 pilgrims at base camps and around 53,000 at other lodgements would be provided. Regarding telecom services, it was stated that BSNL would install 25 towers, Airtel 7 towers, and Reliance Jio 29 towers. High-speed internet connectivity through leased lines would be available at yatra camps, and the yatra would be monitored in real-time from the centrally located Integrated Command & Control Centre.
Furthermore, it was informed that 29 health facilities manned by around 1,800 medics/paramedics provided by the Government of India (188), other States/UTs (695), and the J&K Government (907) would be established along the route. The 100-bed hospitals at Baltal and Chandanwadi, equipped with telemedicine and super-speciality services through the e-Sanjeevani portal, would significantly enhance the healthcare facilities for yatris.
Lastly, it was mentioned that the weather forecasting infrastructure has been upgraded, utilizing RADARs and Automatic Weather Stations (AWS). The damaged bridges on both axes are being reconstructed, and narrow and vulnerable stretches are being widened or upgraded in line with the directions of the Supreme Court, as discussed during the meeting.
