Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sanjeev Verma on Monday said that elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for smooth conduct of Amarnath Yatra.
Addressing media here the Divisional Commissioner said thatpolice and paramilitary forces have been deployed in adequate strength alongSrinagar-Jammu national highway for security of Yatris.
The annual Amarnath Yatra will commence on July 1 andconclude on August 15 this year.
Verma said proper arrangements have also been put in placefor accommodation of pilgrims. “This year, we have established 80 haltingcentres in Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur and Ramban district for accommodatingaround 5000-6000 pilgrims, if need arises owing to bad weather,” Verma said,adding that separate halting points for busses carrying pilgrims have also beenestablished.
Flanked by Director Tourism Jammu OP Bhagat, the DivisionalCommissioner said that keeping in view safety of the pilgrims visiting theshrine in south Kashmir, additional number of CCTV cameras have been installedalong the highway.
Besides, the Divisional Commissioner said, more than 60kilometers of under-construction highway stretch has been improved to avoidtraffic congestion on the ever-busy Jammu-Srinagar highway.
The Divisional Commissioner informed that permits forsetting up 100 langars along the highway, between Kathua and Ramban districts,have been issued and Food Safety Officers have been directed to ensure thatpilgrims are served clean and hygienic food in the langars.
He said requisite of critical care ambulances will escortYatris this year and facility of mobile toilets have also been kept for Yatrisen-route the shrine.
The Divisional Commissioner also said that the BhagwatiNagar Jammu base camp for pilgrims has also been given a face-lift.
“A provisional store to provide Yatris SIM cards has beenestablished at the base camp. Further, stalls of handloom products, cateringand medical services have also been setup at the base camp,” he said.
According to the Divisional Commissioner, the TourismDepartment will also offer range of facilities to the Amarnath pilgrimsvisiting the Jammu City in advance and launch a campaign to encourage them tovisit other picturesque tourist-pilgrim destinations of Jammu including ShivKhori shrine, Vaishno Devi shrine, Siar Fall, Ambaran, Jia Pota Ghat, Akhnoor,Surinsar and Mansar.
To a question the Divisional Commissioner said “Yatrasecurity has always been our top priority”.