SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the upcoming Machail Mata Yatra, scheduled to start in August in Kishtwar district. The meeting aimed to ensure a hassle-free, safe pilgrimage by assessing arrangements across various departments.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, PWD; Principal Secretary, Home; Director General, Fire & Emergency Services; Divisional Commissioner Jammu; IGP Jammu; Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar; SSP Kishtwar; and other key officials. Discussions focused on sanitation, water supply, power, medical facilities, transport, and emergency response to facilitate pilgrims’ safe movement.
A key part of the review was the implementation of measures introduced after last year’s incident, including online and RFID-based registration systems, disaster mitigation strategies, and real-time weather alerts through Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) and Automatic Weather Stations (AWS). Detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were also developed to ensure safety and smooth flow during the Yatra.
The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar, shared that accommodations are being arranged at various locations such as Kishtwar, Gulabgarh, Chishoti, and Machail. This includes government facilities, private lodges, homestays, tents, and a dedicated tent city at Machail for pilgrims’ convenience. Emphasis was placed on crowd management and real-time tracking of pilgrims via online registration and RFID systems. Manpower deployment and coordination among departments were also discussed to ensure effective management.
Landslide mitigation and monitoring systems are being strengthened along the route to address weather-related challenges. Departments were instructed to maintain vigilance and respond swiftly to emergencies.
Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma provided details on traffic management, including designated parking, traffic regulation, and ensuring emergency vehicle access. The focus is on maintaining smooth vehicular flow and quick restoration of roads if needed.
Medical preparedness was also reviewed. Camps, ambulance services, emergency response teams, and first-aid facilities are being set up at key points along the route. Adequate healthcare personnel and medicines are being arranged to handle emergencies.
Arrangements for drinking water, electricity, communication, sanitation, and waste management were also discussed. All departments were directed to coordinate closely to ensure efficient service delivery and environmental protection.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to a safe and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage, the Chief Secretary urged all stakeholders to work together for the successful conduct of the Machail Mata Yatra this year.