Srinagar, July 23 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired a high-level security review meeting here and directed the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, civil administration, and central security agencies to maintain seamless coordination for the safety and convenience of pilgrims undertaking the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, even as he called for stepping up intelligence-led anti-terror operations.
The meeting, attended by Northern Command GOC-in-C Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, and top officials from the 15 and 16 Corps, the Intelligence Bureau, and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), comprehensively reviewed logistics, safety protocols, and weather-response arrangements in the wake of recent heavy rainfall across the region.
LG Sinha stressed that the resumption of the yatra remains strictly subject to weather conditions and directed officials to strengthen flood protection measures and ensure immediate clearance of debris from all nallahs along the pilgrimage tracks, an official spokesperson said.
The Lieutenant Governor also ordered a department-wise audit of fire and emergency services, power grids, and water supply infrastructure. He called for round-the-clock disaster response preparedness, clean tracks, well-maintained sanitation facilities, and adequate reserves of rations, LPG, kerosene, and emergency medical supplies, the spokesperson added.
Over 3.91 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan at the holy cave in the first 20 days of the ongoing yatra, officials said.
LG Sinha directed strict prohibition of unregistered service providers along the route and enforcement of a 100 per cent prepaid service system. He also instructed for additional power DG sets, round-the-clock healthcare services, adequate oxygen cylinders, ambulances, and mandatory fire extinguishers in every tent. Specialised wildlife units are to be stationed along the tracks, he added.
Active traffic management, regular vehicle inspections, and timely weather alerts were also emphasised to ensure swift response to any potential incident, officials said.
The meeting was also attended by Additional Chief Secretaries of Power, PWD, and Tourism departments; Commandant General of Home Guard/CD & SDRF; and Nodal Officers for Pahalgam and Baltal axes, along with Deputy Commissioners, IGPs, and senior officers from all line departments.
The Lieutenant Governor commended the efforts of the J&K Police, Army, civil administration, security forces, Shrine Board, service providers, volunteers, and citizens for their contribution in making the yatra safe and successful so far, the official added. (KNS)
