Srinagar, May 19 (NVI): Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday reviewed the arrangements being put in place for the smooth, safe and hassle-free conduct of the annual Machail Mata Yatra scheduled to begin in August in the mountainous Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Chairing a high-level meeting, Dulloo assessed preparations related to sanitation, water and power supply, medical facilities, transport management and emergency response measures for the pilgrimage, they said.
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, Inspector General of Police Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar and other concerned officials.
Officials said the Chief Secretary also reviewed the implementation of measures recommended after last year’s disaster incident along the yatra route.
These include introduction of online and RFID-based registration systems, installation of Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) and Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) for real-time weather alerts and formulation of detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for pilgrim safety and movement management, they said.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar informed the meeting that accommodation facilities at Kishtwar headquarters, Gulabgarh, Chishoti and Machail were being strengthened to cater to the expected rush of pilgrims.
Government accommodations, private lodgings, homestays and tented facilities are being augmented, while a dedicated tent city is also being established at Machail, officials said.
The administration is also focusing on crowd management and real-time monitoring of pilgrims through 100 per cent online registration and RFID-enabled tracking systems, they added.
The Chief Secretary directed departments concerned to maintain strict vigil and ensure immediate response to any weather-related emergencies during the pilgrimage.
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma briefed the meeting on traffic and transport management plans, including designated parking areas, regulation of vehicular movement and ensuring uninterrupted access for emergency response vehicles.
Officials said medical camps, ambulance services, emergency response teams and first-aid facilities would be set up at key locations along the yatra route.
The meeting also reviewed arrangements related to drinking water supply, uninterrupted electricity, communication facilities, sanitation and solid waste management for the pilgrimage, they added.(NVI)
