Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atul Dulloo, who on Tuesday reviewed the overall preparations a day ahead of the commencement of Amarnath Yatra, said that all necessary measures, including the elaborate security arrangements, have been put in place to ensure a safe pilgrimage for devotees.
The annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath will begin from Jammu on Wednesday and from Kashmir on Thursday.
The 38-day yatra to the 3,880 metres high shrine will commence via the twin tracks: the traditional 48-kilometre Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district, and the 14-kilometre shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
Flanked by senior officers, the chief secretary visited the high-security Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu and reviewed the final arrangements, ranging from security to sanitation.
The Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu serves as the primary base camp for pilgrims before they proceed to the cave shrine.
Dulloo inspected facilities for boarding and lodging, community kitchens and medical services, and chaired a high-level meeting to assess the readiness for the commencement of the yatra, officials said. He also interacted with the pilgrims who have arrived at the base camp.
“I have visited the Bhagwati Nagar base camp and reviewed the arrangements for yatra. All departments have completed their preparations — whether it is security, food and water, accommodation or sanitation,” Dulloo told reporters.
He said a meeting was conducted with officers to review these aspects in detail. “We have thoroughly reviewed all these arrangements,” he added.
The chief secretary said he also assessed health facilities and the implementation of the RFID (radio frequency identification) system. “All these arrangements are now in place on the ground,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of a peaceful and smooth pilgrimage, he said, “Our full effort will be to ensure that over the next 38 days, the yatra is conducted in an organised manner — comfortable, secure and in a trouble-free environment — so that every pilgrim who comes here can undertake the pilgrimage peacefully and return with joy and a memorable experience.”
Over 3,500 pilgrims, including sadhus, have already arrived in Jammu city for the yatra.
On Monday evening, police conducted a mock drill at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp to ensure a high level of preparedness. The Security Wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has taken charge of the Bhagwati Nagar base camp, while the Central Reserve Police Force is managing the security around it.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will flag off the yatra from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp amid tight security arrangements on Wednesday. (Agencies)
