JAMMU, Jun 1: Top civil and police officials on Monday reviewed preparations and security arrangements for the forthcoming annual Amarnath yatra.
The 57-day pilgrimage is scheduled to commence on July 3 from the twin routes — the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and the 14-km shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district — and conclude on August 28 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti visited the Bhagwati Nagar base camp and reviewed preparations, including arrangements for registration counters, RFID centres, accommodation, sanitation, healthcare and security, officials said.
Kumar said all necessary arrangements were being put in place at Bhagwati Nagar, which serves as the main base camp for pilgrims undertaking the annual yatra.
“The visit was aimed at reviewing preparedness on the ground and giving the final touch to the arrangements. Registration facilities, RFID services, health infrastructure and sanitation arrangements were thoroughly inspected,” he said.
The Divisional Commissioner said discussions were held with departments concerned to ensure timely completion of all works and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Officials said Kumar had earlier fixed June 10 as the deadline for completion of various works, including whitewashing, setting up bus ticket booking counters, langars, cloakrooms, accommodation facilities, washrooms, power supply and lighting within and around the camp.
Directions were also issued for ensuring adequate drinking water, sanitation and langar facilities, setting up a convenience store, providing prepaid SIM cards and installing German hangars for pilgrims.
The Fire and Emergency Services Department was directed to conduct a comprehensive fire safety audit, while the Public Works Department was asked to blacktop roads in and around the camp. The Power Development Department was instructed to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply with adequate illumination and backup generators.
The IGP reviewed the deployment plan for security forces and stressed proper lighting at all lodgement centres and strict adherence to yatra cut-off timings. Tuti also reviewed security and facilitation arrangements in Kathua and Samba districts, directing officers to maintain maximum alertness and strengthen surveillance measures along the Yatra route.
At Lakhanpur, the IGP inspected the base camp, lodgement centres and reception facilities, while reviewing security deployment, CCTV coverage, access control systems, frisking arrangements, traffic management and pilgrim amenities.A security review meeting was later held at the District Police Lines in Kathua, where SSP Kathua Mohita Sharma briefed officers on surveillance measures, convoy management, deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and emergency response plans.
The IGP stressed strict adherence to security protocols and professional conduct with pilgrims, while DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range Shridhar Patil directed officers to regularly inspect langars and lodgement centres and maintain close surveillance on suspicious elements.
In Samba district, SSP Anuj Kumar briefed the IGP on preparedness for the pilgrimage. During the review, Tuti emphasised close coordination among J-K Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), intelligence agencies and Punjab Police to ensure a safe and smooth Yatra.
Officers were directed to intensify drone surveillance, deploy dog squads for anti-sabotage checks at vital installations, langars and lodgement centres, and strengthen real-time monitoring systems.
They were also instructed to enhance security along the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway and border areas through round-the-clock domination, naka checking and area patrols. (Agencies)
