Ishfaq Gulzar (CNI)
Jammu : With the commencement of the annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra just a day away, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today visited Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, to review the final preparations for the smooth and safe conduct of the pilgrimage.
Accompanied by senior officers from civil administration and police, the Chief Secretary conducted an extensive inspection of the base camp, which serves as one of the key halting points for pilgrims en route to the holy shrine. Among those present during the visit were Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, IGP Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti, IG Traffic, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, SSP Traffic (City), Commissioner JMC, MD JPDCL, Director Information, Chief Engineers of Jal Shakti and PWD, as well as senior representatives from various security and support departments.
During the inspection, Mr. Dulloo took stock of critical facilities including accommodation, sanitation, electricity supply, security measures, and the functioning of registration counters. Emphasizing the need for efficient crowd management, he directed officials to increase the number of registration counters to minimize waiting time for pilgrims.
The Chief Secretary also visited the 24×7 Control Room established at the Yatri Niwas for real-time monitoring of all yatra-related activities. Later, he chaired a high-level meeting with officials from all concerned departments where he called for seamless coordination among civil administration, police, and service departments to ensure a hassle-free and safe pilgrimage for the devotees.
Mr. Dulloo expressed satisfaction over the extensive preparations undertaken by various departments. He lauded their dedication and stated that the collective goal is to provide pilgrims with not just safety and comfort but also a spiritually fulfilling experience.
“Our aim is to ensure that every pilgrim returns with positive memories of the yatra. All departments have worked with commitment to create an environment of safety, service, and spiritual peace,” Dulloo remarked.
He also instructed the Information Department to launch a proactive communication drive across social and digital platforms. The campaign will provide real-time updates on weather, traffic, and other important advisories to keep pilgrims informed and reassured throughout their journey.
Earlier, Divisional Commissioner Jammu briefed the Chief Secretary on the enhancements made this year. He highlighted significant improvements in infrastructure, including better boarding and lodging facilities, upgraded water and power supply systems, improved sanitation, and strengthened fire safety measures.
IGP Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti, during his briefing, outlined the detailed security and traffic management plans devised for the yatra. He assured that a robust multi-layered security grid has been put in place in coordination with all security forces to ensure a peaceful and orderly pilgrimage.
With the yatra set to begin on July 3, the final touches to the elaborate arrangements are now underway, with authorities confident of a successful and incident-free pilgrimage season this year.(CNI)