Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review arrangements being made for the smooth, safe and hassle-free conduct of the annual Machail Mata Yatra scheduled to commence in August in the mountainous region of Kishtwar.
The meeting was attended by senior officers including the Additional Chief Secretary PWD, Principal Secretary Home, Director General Fire and Emergency Services, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, IGP Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, SSP Kishtwar, Managing Director JPDCL and other concerned officials.
During the meeting, the chief secretary reviewed arrangements related to sanitation, drinking water supply, power, medical facilities, transport management and emergency response being put in place by various departments.
He also assessed implementation of directions issued after last year’s disaster incident along the yatra route.
The meeting reviewed measures including introduction of online and RFID-based registration systems, disaster mitigation initiatives, installation of Automatic Rain Gauges and Automatic Weather Stations for real-time weather alerts and development of Standard Operating Procedures aimed at ensuring safety and smooth movement of pilgrims.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar informed the meeting that accommodation arrangements are being strengthened at Kishtwar headquarters, Gulabgarh, Chishoti and Machail.
He said government accommodations, private lodgings, homestays and tented facilities are being augmented, while a dedicated tent city is also being established at Machail for pilgrims.
Special emphasis was laid on crowd management and real-time monitoring through 100 percent online registration and RFID-enabled tracking mechanisms.
The administration is also undertaking landslide mitigation measures and strengthening monitoring systems at vulnerable stretches along the yatra route.
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma briefed the meeting about traffic and transport management plans aimed at ensuring smooth vehicular movement and timely restoration of road connectivity wherever required.
He informed that designated parking areas, traffic regulation measures and uninterrupted access for emergency response vehicles are being planned.
The chief secretary also reviewed medical preparedness and emergency response measures, with officials informing the meeting that medical camps, ambulance services, emergency response teams and first-aid facilities would be established at key locations along the route.
The meeting further reviewed arrangements related to drinking water supply, electricity, communication facilities, sanitation and solid waste management for the pilgrimage.
Atal Dulloo directed all departments to work in close coordination to ensure efficient service delivery, cleanliness and environmental protection along the yatra route.
Reiterating the administration’s commitment towards ensuring a safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage, the chief secretary called for coordinated efforts among all stakeholder departments and agencies for successful conduct of the yatra.
