Srinagar, May 21 (NVI): Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Thursday reviewed preparations for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026 and directed officials to expedite registration of service providers and complete developmental works in a time-bound manner.
Chairing a high-level meeting here, Garg stressed the need for coordinated efforts among departments to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage, officials said.
Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag, Srinagar, Ganderbal and Bandipora, Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation and senior officers from various departments attended the meeting. Representatives of telecom companies, including BSNL, Jio, Airtel and G-Max, were also present.
The Divisional Commissioner directed officials to speed up registration of service providers to meet the target of 28,000 registrations, including pony operators, and ensure issuance of RFID cards by May 30.
Reviewing arrangements for pony stands, officials informed the meeting that fencing and shed construction works had been completed. Garg also instructed authorities to conduct health check-ups of ponies and ensure adequate fodder along the yatra routes.
The meeting reviewed telecom connectivity and bandwidth availability at base camps and along the yatra tracks up to the holy cave shrine. Garg directed telecom service providers to ensure uninterrupted network connectivity during the pilgrimage period, while Chief Engineer KPDCL was asked to maintain regular power supply to telecom installations.
Snow clearance, repair works, and construction of protective structures along the yatra routes also came up for discussion, with Deputy Commissioners asked to personally monitor the works.
Garg further directed officials to augment manpower at yatri registration counters and rationalise counters across districts in view of direct railway connectivity to Srinagar.
The meeting also reviewed arrangements related to tents, fire safety audits, drinking water, power supply, sanitation, transport, health services, SDRF deployment and other essential facilities for pilgrims, officials added.(NVI)
