Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 10: Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, chaired a high level meeting here today to review the arrangements for the annual Macchail Yatra.
The meeting was attended by Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IGP Jammu, Danish Rana, DIG Traffic Ashkoor Wani, DIG Doda range, Nissar Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Simrandeep Singh, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary, Deputy Commissioner Doda, Bhupinder Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Mohammad Javed Khan and other senior officers.
Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister said directions have been issued to the administration to ensure foolproof arrangements for convenience of the devotees. He directed the administration to ensure that necessary basic facilities are made available to the Yatris enroute and at the final destination of the Yatra. He maintained that providing better facilities to the people is the prime concern of the Government and directed Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar to prepare a comprehensive plan enumerating the measures and steps which need to be taken for smooth conduct of the Yatra.
While enquiring about the condition of the roads, the Deputy Chief Minister directed Chief Engineer R&B to gear up men and machinery and ensure their availability at vulnerable spots prone to landslides so that roads are cleared in minimum possible time for the convenience of the pilgrims.
While reviewing the condition of the track up to Macchail, Deputy Chief Minister directed DC Kishtwar to ensure repair and other allied works to make journey/Yatra comfortable and enjoyable for the Yatris.
Responding to the demand of the organizing committee of the yatra for providing better sanitation facilities during the yatra, Dr. Singh directed for ensuring availability of adequate number of safai karamcharies at Gulabgarh and Macchail.
Underscoring the importance of preserving natural ecology of the area, Dy CM issued strict instructions to the district administration to ensure that waste is not disposed off into the local rivers and nallahs so that pristine environment of the area is not disturbed and directed the administration to put in place temporary toilets at different places enroute and at Macchail.
He also directed the administration to ensure uninterrupted water supply at different places of halt enroute yatra for which the concerned were asked to press into service adequate number of water tankers. He asked for keeping gensets readily available to provide uninterrupted power supply during the Yatra.
Regarding additional quota of kerosene oil and firewood for organizing langers, Dy Chief Minister said that the issue would be looked into. He also appealed the organizing committee to cooperate with the administration for smooth conduct of yatra and said that necessary and strict instructions have been given to the concerned to take necessary action in time so that yatries do not face any inconvenience.
IGP Jammu while elaborating on security related arrangements said that security scenario is absolutely under control for which soon a Mass Contact Programme will be started to build confidence among the people and assured foolproof security arrangements during the yatra.
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