Shadow Correspondent
Samba, June 21:
Deputy Commissioner Samba Ayushi Sudan today chaired a high-level review meeting at the DC Office Complex to assess the preparedness for the smooth, safe and successful conduct of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026. The meeting was attended by senior functionaries from key departments and agencies tasked with facilitating the annual pilgrimage through district Samba. The Deputy Commissioner conducted a detailed department-wise review, covering the full spectrum of logistical and operational arrangements essential for the Yatra. These encompassed security deployment, traffic management, safe drinking water supply, uninterrupted power availability, healthcare services, sanitation and waste management, lodgement centres, temporary toilet facilities, langar arrangements and emergency response mechanisms. Each department was called upon to present its state of readiness and outline the measures being put in place to meet the demands of the pilgrimage season. Emphasising the paramount importance of meticulous advance planning and effective inter-departmental coordination, the Deputy Commissioner issued specific operational directives to each department. The Jal Shakti Department was directed to ensure an adequate and uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water at all points along the Yatra route. JPDCL was instructed to maintain reliable and continuous power supply throughout the duration of the pilgrimage. The Health Department was directed to deploy well-equipped medical teams and establish robust emergency healthcare services at strategic locations. Municipal authorities were tasked with ensuring rigorous sanitation standards, installation of adequate temporary toilet facilities and the scientific disposal of waste. The Traffic Police and other security agencies were directed to put in place comprehensive traffic regulation measures and ensure a strong security apparatus along the entire Yatra corridor within the district. The DC further directed NIC to ensure reliable and uninterrupted internet connectivity at RFID Centres being created at Nonath and Chichi Mata so as to facilitate seamless pilgrim registration, biometric verification and the full range of digital services integral to the Yatra management framework. She underscored that any disruption in digital infrastructure could impede the smooth flow of pilgrims and directed that contingency measures be kept in readiness at all times.
Sudan categorically directed all departments to maintain the highest state of operational readiness and to respond with urgency and efficiency to any exigency that may arise during the Yatra period. She stressed that close inter-departmental coordination, proactive planning and a zero-tolerance approach to lapses in service delivery would be the hallmarks of the district administration’s conduct during the pilgrimage and called upon every officer to discharge their responsibilities with utmost dedication and a sense of public service.
Among others present in the meeting included Senior Superintendent of Police Anuj Kumar; Additional District Development Commissioner Champa Devi Thakur; Programme Officer, ICDS Rajesh Lakhan and other district officers from the concerned departments.
