Deputy Commissioner, Kathua Rakesh Minhas chaired a meeting of stakeholder departments here today to review the arrangements being put in place for smooth conduct of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2024. Additional Deputy Commissioner Ranjit Singh was designated as overall Nodal Officer for SANJY-2024, while DC State Taxes, Pardeep Manhas was named Nodal Officer for Lakhanpur Facilitation Centre.
The Deputy Commissioner, while reviewing the status of arrangements, instructed the concerned departments to complete the pending work well before the commencement of the Yatra, considering the expected increase in the number of pilgrims. It was decided that the District Administration Kathua will prepare a contingency plan to accommodate 12,500 pilgrims in case the Yatra is halted due to inclement weather or any other emergencies, for which 36 Lodgement Centres would be established.
To ensure smooth issuance of RFID tags to registered pilgrims, the district administration has decided to increase the number of counters at the Lakhanpur Facilitation Centre from six to twelve, reducing congestion at the Jammu Base Camp. The DC urged the stakeholder departments to submit respective action plan regarding the provision of safe drinking water, power supply, medical facilities, sanitation, installation of toilets, lodging and langer facilities, traffic management, and security arrangements.
He directed these departments to collaborate closely to finalize the necessary arrangements as soon as possible. The DC emphasized the importance of training and sensitizing staff to assist the pilgrims and maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in the Lakhanpur corridor and along the Yatra routes.
He further instructed Municipal Authorities, PWD, NHAI, and RDD to ensure the proper functioning and maintenance of public toilets throughout the Yatra period. The DC also directed the concerned officers of NHAI and the Tourism Department to ensure the installation of digital screens, and signages at Lakhanpur and key points along the Yatra route.
It was announced that cultural programs would be held at Lakhanpur on the opening day and throughout the Yatra period to entertain the pilgrims. The meeting also discussed in detail the facilities at lodgment centers, setting up a control room, disaster planning, monitoring the quality of food and eatables, maintaining proper sanitation along the Yatra route, and enforcing anti-polythene measures.
The DC State Taxes Pardeep Manhas; ADC, Kathua Ranjit Singh; SDM Hiranagar Rakesh Kumar, RTO Kewal Krishan besides other officers attended the meeting.