Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired a high-level meeting to review the arrangements being put in place by the concerned Divisional and District Administrations for the smooth, safe and hassle-free conduct of the annual Machail Mata Yatra scheduled to commence in August this year in the mountainous region of Kishtwar.
The meeting, besides Additional Chief Secretary, PWD and Principal Secretary, Home, was attended by Director General, Fire & Emergency Services; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; IGP, Jammu; Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar; SSP, Kishtwar; Managing Director, JPDCL; Chief Engineer, Project Sampark and other concerned officers.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary took a detailed assessment of the arrangements being made for ensuring safe and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage this year, including sanitation measures entrusted to the Rural Development Department and arrangements related to water supply, power, medical facilities, transport management and emergency response by the concerned line departments.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the implementation of the directions issued in the aftermath of the last year's disaster incident along the yatra route. He took a detailed appraisal of measures such as introduction of online and RFID-based registration systems, disaster mitigation initiatives, installation of Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) and Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) for real-time weather alerts and development of detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at ensuring safety and smooth movement of pilgrims throughout the Yatra period.
The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar apprised the meeting that elaborate accommodation arrangements are being made at various locations including Kishtwar headquarters, Gulabgarh, Chishoti and Machail to cater to the expected rush of devotees. Government accommodations, private lodging facilities, homestays and tented accommodations are being augmented, while a dedicated tent city is also being established at Machail for the convenience of pilgrims.
Special emphasis was laid on crowd management and real-time monitoring of pilgrims through implementation of 100 percent online registration and RFID-enabled tracking mechanisms. The arrangements for daily monitoring of pilgrim movement, deployment of adequate manpower at sensitive points and strengthening coordination among departments for effective management of the Yatra were also detailed out by the Divisional Commissioner during this meeting.
To enhance pilgrim safety, the administration is also undertaking landslide mitigation measures and strengthening monitoring systems at vulnerable stretches along the route. The departments concerned were directed to maintain strict vigil and ensure immediate response to any weather-related exigencies during the pilgrimage period.
The Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma divulged the details about the comprehensive traffic and transport management plans prepared to ensure smooth vehicular movement and timely restoration of road connectivity, wherever required. The apprised the meeting about the establishment of designated parking areas, regulation of traffic movement and ensuring uninterrupted access for emergency response vehicles.
The Chief Secretary further reviewed medical preparedness and emergency response arrangements for the Yatra. The meeting was informed that medical camps, ambulance services, emergency response teams and first-aid facilities would be established at key locations along the route. Adequate healthcare personnel and essential medicines are also being arranged to meet any eventuality during the pilgrimage.
The meeting also reviewed arrangements related to drinking water supply, uninterrupted electricity, communication facilities, sanitation and solid waste management made for this year's yatra.
Directions were issued to all departments to work in close coordination to ensure efficient delivery of essential services and maintain cleanliness and environmental protection along the pilgrimage route.
Reiterating the administration’s commitment towards ensuring a spiritually fulfilling and incident-free pilgrimage, the Chief Secretary called for coordinated efforts among all stakeholder departments and agencies for successful conduct of the Machail Mata Yatra this year.