Deputy Commissioner Jammu Simrandeep Singh on Thursday had a detailed review meeting with senior officers, business associations and social organizations regarding the arrangements being put in place for this year’s annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.The Deputy Commissioner asked the officers to evolve a joint working mechanism for ensuring fast response and prompt service delivery to the devotees who throng here in lakhs to seek blessings of Lord Shiva at the revered Shrine.Simrandeep exhorted upon concerned authorities to make sure that the yatris are served hygienic food at reasonable rates for which he recommended strict check on overcharging, black marketing and profiteering. He stressed on maintaining close vigil to contain trade malpractices often witnessed during festivities.
Reviewing the healthcare facilities, the DC directed the health department to establish an additional healthcare centre at Geeta Bhawan for sadhus, who being old age need better medication. He also asked the Police department for deploying security at medical certificate issuing centers to effectively manage huge crowds of yatris.He was informed that four medicare centres are being established at Sarasvati Dham, Vaishnavi Dham, Jammu Hatt and Geeta Bhawan. Besides, the department is also providing ambulance service on toll free 102 numbers from any point.The Deputy Commissioner instructed the officers to set up a Tourist/Yatra Information Centre at Kunjwani, Gateway to Jammu, which will operate as First Information Centre for the pilgrims entering the state. He also asked for establishing another centre at Jewel in addition to the existing units at Yatri Niwas Railway Station and Airport.With a view to ensure fast response, he constituted a committee comprising ACG, Deputy Director Tourism and General Manager JKTDC which will work out a comprehensive and uniform publicity plan with complete yatra information, which would be followed by all information centers.
He directed the committee to submit the report in this regard within next six days.The DC asked Traffic and Transport departments to jointly evolve an effective mechanism to check overcharging from yatris by the transport operators. He asked for fixing passenger fare for Auto Rickshaws so that the operators may not befool the yatris on the pretext of long and complicated routes.Other issues deliberated upon in the meeting included transportation and accommodation of yatries, provision for sanitation at yatra spots, installation of banners and hoardings, preparedness for disaster management, Security, power and water supply, street lights, issuing of identity cards, LPG and Kerosene oil supply etc. “Although it is not possible to ensure totally uninterrupted power supply due to certain technical and natural reasons but it is in our hands to tackle any emergency with our ability to response fast and prompt”, he maintained. Among others present were ADC, officers of PHE, PDD, Health, JMC, Tourism, Police, besides representatives of various trade and social organizations.