Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Dec 19: District Magistrate, Vishesh Mahajan, held a meeting to ensure the seamless management of the anticipated surge in pilgrim footfall on December 31st at the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and Katra Town.
Plethora of directives were issued during the meeting to various authorities to ensure the safety, security and convenience of pilgrims during the weekend and week starting December 22 and more specifically for December 31.
SSP Reasi, Amit Gupta,apprised that adequate security measures, including thorough vehicle checks, increased deployment of security personnel across Katra Town and the yatra track have been made.
The Chief Medical Officer Reasi was directed to ensure round-the-clock availability of medical teams at the Katra hospital and to keep additional 108 ambulance service on standby for any sort of emergency while ARTO was instructed to bolster staff strength for smooth traffic flow, to make all efforts for prevention of jams in Katra Town and ensure that all passengers vehicles display fare lists to prevent overcharging of pilgrims.
Emphasis was laid on sanitation, illumination and mobile toilet facilities at the bus stand and other locations in Katra Town. Geo-tagging of parking spots was also initiated for pilgrims’ convenience.
DDC said that LCD screens installed across Katra Town should provide comprehensive information about Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Pilgrims and also other tourist spots in Reasi district. Strict measures were advised against vehicles parked outside hotel premises and road sides and shopkeepers were urged to refrain from encroachment on footpaths and ensure smooth movement of pedestrians.
XEns of PWD and PHE were directed to ensure uninterrupted water supply on yatra track and Katra town and 24×7 electricity to the areas and markets and also installed decorative lighting at prominent places.
DDC said teams be formed to conduct market surveys, ensuring fair pricing and quality standards, while preparations for fire emergency were underscored.
He urged all stakeholders to diligently implement these directives to facilitate a hassle-free experience for pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and to ensure their safety and comfortable journey during the significant period.
SSP Amit Gupta, Commandant CRPF Y R Bunker, SDM Katra Deepak Dubey, ACR Anshumali Sharma, Xen PWD and PHE and other officers were present in the meeting.
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