Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Yasin M. Choudhary today chaired a meeting in Mandir Complex, Mandi to review the arrangements for the upcoming Annual Budha Amarnath Yatra 2023, scheduled to start from August 8, 2023.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Tahir Mustafa Malik; Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Zahir Ahmed Kaifi; CEO Poonch Development Authority Dr. Mohammad Tanveer Khan; Assistant Commissioner Development, Abid Hussain Shah; Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Naheem Un Nissa Bhatti; Tehsildar Mandi, Shazam Latief Khan; Tehsildar Hqr. Jhangir Hussain; Dysp DAR, Mohammad Shafiq; Xen PWD, Yasir Bashir Khicloo; Xen, PDD, Aftab Ahmed; DPO, RDD&PR, Chandler K Bhagat; BDO Mandi, Mohammad Ibrahim; AD, FSC&CA, Ranjeet Singh; BMO Mandi, Dr Nusrat Bhatti; EO Municipality Poonch, Mohd Hanief and other concerned officers besides chairman Budha Amarnath Mandir Mandi, Advocate Gulshan Kumar, President Budha Amarnath Mandi, Vishav Kumar, President VHP, Nishu Sharma and other committee members including Sarpanchs, Panchs and locals of the area.
The Committee members, Locals and PRI members discussed various aspects related to the yatra and underlined the need for foolproof security arrangements, traffic management, provision of basic amenities such as toilets, safe drinking water, medical facilities, and accommodation for the pilgrims.
The Deputy Commissioner patiently listened to the issues and directed the Stakeholder departments to ensure that all necessary arrangements are put in place well in advance to ensure a peaceful and hassle-free yatra for the pilgrims.
The meeting also focused on the importance of sanitation and cleanliness at the langer sites for which the Municipal authorities were directed to arrange dustbins and ensure proper cleanliness.The PDD officials were directed to provide uninterrupted power supply, while the PHE department was asked to arrange water tankers round the clock for yatris.
The Executive Engineer PMGSY was directed to expedite the blacktopping work from Bus Stand to Mandi Market to ensure better connectivity. The BMO Mandi was directed to deploy a medical team and ambulance during the yatra to ensure prompt medical assistance in case of emergencies.
The yatra will commence on August 18, 2023, and culminate on August 27, 2023, with the chari yatra being held on August 28, 2023, from Shri Dashnami Akhara Poonch to Shri Budha Amarnath Mandir Mandi.
The Deputy Commissioner after the meeting inspected the Tourist Arrival Centre (TAC) Building, water drainage system, and the mandir premises. The purpose of the inspection was to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place for the smooth and safe conduct of the Yatra.