Chief Secretary reviews arrangements for safe conduct of Machail Mata Yatra

Srinagar, May 19: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today chaired a high‑level meeting to assess preparations by divisional and district administrations for the annual Machail Mata Yatra, scheduled to begin in August in Kishtwar.

The meeting included Additional Chief Secretary (PWD), Principal Secretary (Home), Director General of Fire & Emergency Services, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, IGP Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Kumar Sharma, SSP Kishtwar, Managing Director JPDCL, Chief Engineer Project Sampark and other senior officers.

Officials briefed the Chief Secretary on sanitation, water supply, power, transport, medical care and emergency response measures being put in place. The Rural Development Department will lead sanitation efforts, while line departments have drawn up plans for water, electricity and communications along the route.

Dulloo reviewed implementation of directions issued after last year’s disaster and received updates on mitigation measures, including online and RFID‑based pilgrim registration, disaster response initiatives, and installation of Automatic Rain Gauges and Automatic Weather Stations for real‑time alerts. Detailed Standard Operating Procedures have been prepared to ensure safe movement of devotees throughout the Yatra.

Ramesh Kumar said extensive accommodation arrangements are being readied at Kishtwar headquarters, Gulabgarh, Chishoti and Machail. Government lodging, private guesthouses, homestays and tents will be augmented, and a dedicated tent city will be set up at Machail to accommodate pilgrims.

The administration emphasised crowd management and real‑time monitoring through 100 percent online registration and RFID tracking. Daily monitoring of pilgrim movement, deployment of personnel at sensitive points and inter‑department coordination were outlined for effective Yatra management.

Landslide mitigation work and strengthened monitoring systems are underway at vulnerable stretches, and departments were directed to keep strict vigil and respond immediately to any weather‑related exigency.

Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma presented comprehensive traffic and transport plans, including designated parking zones, regulated traffic movement and priority access for emergency vehicles to ensure smooth vehicular flow and rapid restoration of connectivity if needed.

On medical preparedness, the meeting was told that medical camps, ambulance services, emergency response teams and first‑aid posts will be deployed at key locations. Adequate healthcare staff and essential medicines have been arranged to handle any contingencies.

Officials also reviewed arrangements for drinking water, uninterrupted power, communications, sanitation and solid waste management. Departments were directed to work in close coordination to ensure efficient delivery of services and to protect the environment along the pilgrimage route.

Reiterating the administration’s commitment to a spiritually fulfilling and incident‑free Yatra, the Chief Secretary called for coordinated action by all stakeholder agencies.