Jammu, June 20: As many as 36 lodgment centres and six RFID counters have been established to welcome the pilgrims of Shri Amarnath Yatra at Lakhanpur in Kathua district t— the gateway to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir from Punjab.
Deputy Commissioner Kathua Dr. Rakesh Minhas on Friday chaired a meeting of officers to review the arrangements being made in the district for the smooth conduct of Yatra.
At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner took a department-wise review of the arrangements and exhorted the officers concerned to expedite the pending works to ensure all facilities are in place well ahead of the commencement of the Yatra.
He asked them to leave no room for lapses in view of the anticipated high influx of pilgrims this year.
The district Administration has prepared 36 lodgment centres across the district to accommodate Yatris in case of weather-induced halts or other emergencies.
Each centre has been assigned a Nodal Officer to ensure provision of essential facilities such as boarding and lodging, safe drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, clean toilets and hygienic food.
To streamline the issuance of RFID tags to registered pilgrims and avoid congestion at Jammu Base Camp, six RFID counters will be established at the 24×7 Lakhanpur Yatri Facilitation Centre.
The DC stressed on formulation of comprehensive departmental plans for drinking water, electricity, sanitation, medical aid, traffic regulation and foolproof security arrangements.
He directed all stakeholder departments to maintain close coordination and finalise all necessary preparations at the earliest.
The DC also informed that cultural programmes will be organised at Lakhanpur on the inaugural day and during the Yatra period to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere to the visiting pilgrims.
Detailed deliberations were held on setting up of a centralised control room, disaster management preparedness, monitoring the quality of langar and food items, maintaining sanitation along the Yatra route and implementation of anti-polythene measures.
Later, the DC interacted with Langar Committee representatives, and impressed upon them to strictly adhere to the laid down guidelines regarding CCTV camera installation, cleanliness, quality control of langar food and overall safety and comfort of the pilgrims.(UNI)
