Jammu, Jan 28 (KNO): Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired the 15th High-Level Committee (HLC) meeting of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) and impressed upon all line departments and stakeholders to ensure that comprehensive arrangements for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026 are put in place well ahead of its commencement.
Besides the DG Police the meeting was attended by the Administrative Secretaries of all the Departments, Senior officers from the civil administration, police, and other concerned departments.
Deputy Commissioners attended the meeting through video conferencing.
Emphasising advance planning and timely execution, the Chief Secretary directed departments including Tourism, PWD, PDD, Jal Shakti, RDD, H&UDD, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, BRO, Telecommunication and others to complete all tendering, procurement and contract-related processes within the coming month. He stressed that early finalisation of works is critical to ensure seamless arrangements before the onset of the yatra.
Highlighting safety as the top priority, the Chief Secretary instructed the Divisional Administrations and Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag and Ganderbal to identify and mark all disaster-prone and vulnerable areas along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. He categorically directed that no utilities, including tents and temporary structures, be installed in such high-risk zones.
The Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRR&R) was asked to coordinate closely with district administrations to frame and implement robust Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) to ensure the safety of pilgrims. He also called for an assessment and augmentation of holding capacities at camps and transit points both within and outside the yatra area.
The Chief Secretary asked the Deputy Commissioners to facilitate all service providers and ensure that facilities created at every location are adequate, appropriate and sufficient for pilgrims as well as service personnel. He urged inter-departmental coordination and optimal utilisation of the available work window so that all infrastructure and services are fully ready well before the scheduled yatra dates.
Dulloo reviewed the specific roles and responsibilities assigned to each department and district administration, and took note of the budgetary requirements for execution of various works and procurements. He laid special emphasis on the Power Development Department for timely maintenance of HT/LT power lines and on the Jal Shakti Department for completing the requisite works along the yatra routes.
Traffic management also came under detailed discussion, with the Chief Secretary directing preparation of comprehensive traffic plans to avoid congestion and ensure smooth movement of pilgrims and locals alike. The Police Department was asked to ensure deployment of adequate manpower to facilitate a safe, secure and hassle-free yatra.
Health preparedness formed another key focus area, with directions issued to ensure adequate deployment of medical manpower and functionality of base hospitals at Chandanwari and Baltal, besides strengthening health facilities enroute. The Health Department was asked to initiate the process of engaging additional medical staff from outside, as per established practice.
The meeting also deliberated on ensuring that only RFID-registered pilgrims possessing valid health certificates are allowed to undertake the pilgrimage. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) was enjoined to provide daily weather updates to registered pilgrims to enable informed movement decisions.
Sanitation and cleanliness arrangements were reviewed in detail. The RDD and H&UDD were directed to ensure installation of adequate toilets and bathing facilities along the yatra track and near the cave shrine, uninterrupted water supply, placement of dustbins and deployment of sufficient sanitation staff across transit camps, holding areas and routes.
Departments including FCS&CA, Transport, Information, IT, Forest, BSNL and others were advised to carry out their routine responsibilities as per past practice, while enhancing capacity wherever required and ensuring proper backup plans. The Chief Secretary described their role as crucial for smooth conduct of the yatra and urged them to function with a strong sense of purpose and urgency.
He further directed that all essential infrastructure such as lighting, water tanks, toilets, backup generators, public address systems and communication towers must be fully installed and functional at each camp location before the commencement of the pilgrimage.
During the meeting, CEO, SASB, Dr.Mandeep Kumar Bhandari presented a detailed overview of arrangements made during the previous year and outlined requirements for the upcoming yatra. He highlighted improvements achieved after the conclusion of Yatra-2025, ongoing works and those proposed to be completed ahead of Yatra-2026.
He also briefed the meeting on BRO-related works for track upgradation, measures to ensure reliable power and water supply, disaster mitigation initiatives, prepaid hiring systems, camp holding capacities, registration of labour and pony services.
The Divisional Administrations assured the Chief Secretary that fool-proof arrangements would be made at all identified locations. They informed that power supply, water, health facilities, toilets, communication services, ration supply, fire fighting equipment, shelter sheds, helipads, mobile connectivity, langars, tents, and deployment of SDRF/NDRF personnel would be ensured as per standard operating procedures and the directions issued during the meeting—(KNO)