Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday assessed the preparatory arrangements for the upcoming annual Machail Mata Yatra in Kishtwar district. The Yatra is scheduled to commence in August this year.
Dulloo chaired a high-level meeting to review arrangements for the smooth and hassle-free conduct of the Yatra, an official said. He also reviewed the implementation of directions issued after last year’s deadly cloudburst, which claimed the lives of nearly 63 people.
A devastating cloudburst had struck Chisoti village, the gateway to the Machail Mata shrine, on August 14 last year, leaving 63 people, mostly devotees, dead and scores injured, while around 30 people went missing.
He was briefed in detail by officials about the measures introduced by the government, including the RFID-based registration system, disaster mitigation initiatives, installation of Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs) and Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) for real-time weather alerts, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Special emphasis was laid on crowd management and real-time monitoring of pilgrims through 100 per cent online registration and RFID-enabled tracking mechanisms. To enhance pilgrim safety, the administration is also undertaking landslide mitigation measures and strengthening monitoring systems at vulnerable stretches along the route.
Directions were issued to all departments to work in close coordination to ensure efficient delivery of essential services and maintain cleanliness and environmental protection along the pilgrimage route.
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