Chief Secretary, B B Vyas on Saturday chaired the 7th meeting of the High-Level Committee (HLC) to review the implementation of various key projects and arrangements being planned for smooth conduct of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2018.Financial Commissioner, Housing & Urban Development, Principal Secretary to Governor (CEO SASB), Principal Secretary, Home, DGP, J&K, Principal Secretary H&ME, Principal Secretary Finance, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Administrative Secretaries of the departments of PDD, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, GAD, PW (R&B), Tourism, PHE & I&FC and other senior officers were present. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbl, Anantnag, Chief Engineer, PWD, Kashmir participated through video conferencing.The Committee reviewed the status of various road and track up-gradtion works from both Baltal and Chandanwari routes upto the Holy Cave, up-gradation of access control gates at Baltal and Chandanwari, stabilization measures for hill slopes near the Holy Cave, facilities at transit camps en-route the National Highway and at base camps, arrangements for sanitation and disposal of solid waste, deployment of civil/police officers as camp officers and arrangements for joint control rooms.In regard to up-gradation of tracks from Baltal & Chandanwari upto the Holy Cave, Chief Secretary asked PW (R&B) and Tourism departments to submit a comprehensive and updated status note to the CEO, SASB in the next two days.
Chief Secretary reiterated his earlier direction regarding building better facilities at the transit and base camps including building at least 10 community toilets en-route yatra in each district by first week of June 2018. He asked DCs of Ganderbal and Anantnag to ensure that work on these community toilets starts immediately and the project completed as per fixed timeline. He said funds available under SBM (G), SBM (Urban) and from Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) shall be utilized for the purpose. He asked Tourism department to ensure that necessary arrangements for sanitation, solid waste management and disposal of wastes including mule dung in the yatra area are complete by 1st week of June, 2018.Director General of Police, J&K, informed the Committee that two X-Ray machines have been provided for installation at Domel and Chandanwari access control gates, while the list of police officers for deployment on duty as deputy camp directors and incharge law and order in the two base camp areas will be sent to CEO, SASB shortly. Commissioner, Secretary GAD informed that the list of KAS officers for deployment as camp directors has been sent to the CEO, SASB.Directions were also issued in regard to establishment of emergency operation centers at Sonmarg and Chandanwar, deployment of 09 Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs), deployment of adequate number of critical care ambulances, up-gradation of healthcare facilities, lighting and establishment of joint control rooms etc.