Anticipating largest Amarnath Yatra with an expected footfall of 6 lakh pilgrims, Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam on Wednesday reviewed preparations being made for a safe and hassle-free pilgrimage.

Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor who is also CEO, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), Administrative Secretaries of departments of Public Works (R&B), Industries and Commerce, and Tourism besides Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir & Jammu, concerned Deputy Commissioners and Additional CEO SASB participated in the meeting.

The Chief Secretary reviewed the arrangements for safe, smooth, and secure movement of pilgrims particularly along the Jammu-Srinagar highway and Baltal and Chandanwari yatra tracks up to the Holy Cave.

He enjoined upon the administration to undertake preparations for an expected footfall of 6 lakh pilgrims this year. To ensure secure passage of pilgrims, directions were issued to appropriately ramp up the holding capacities, yatri accommodations, and public utilities across the route from Lakhanpur to the holy cave and vice-versa; with special attention to arrangements in consideration of weather extremities.

He directed the Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu to closely monitor the arrangements being put in place in transit camps along the Yatra route particularly at Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban, Anantnag, Srinagar, Baltal, and Chandanwari. Deputy Commissioners were directed to enhance the holding-capacity of transit camps under their jurisdictions to accommodate approximately 1.22 lakh yatris including both the cave-bound pilgrims as well as those on the return journey; on a daily basis.

The Chief Secretary asked the Divisional Commissioners to ensure availability of basic amenities at these transit camps, besides, ensuring adequate provisions all along the route. They were asked to project additional requirement of resources to the Tourism Department for timely projection and approval.

To ensure completion of various works and arrangements well in time, it was impressed upon the concerned to initiate the implementation of plans and projects in the 1st week of April.