NEW DELHI: Three layers of security manned by J&K police, CRPF and the Army as well as high-tech surveillance, both on the ground and aerial, will ward off terror threats and ensure a safe and smooth Amarnath Yatra scheduled between July 1 and August 31 this year, according to the government.
At a high-level meeting here on Friday to review the security, administrative and infrastructural arrangements for the annual pilgrimage, home minister Amit Shah said it’s the Modi government’s priority to facilitate hassle-free and comfortable ‘darshan’ of the holy cave for devotees. He directed that adequate security arrangements be made along the entire route of the pilgrimage, right from the point of arrival at the airport, railway station or bus station to the yatris’ accommodation, base camps and along the Baltal and Pahalgam routes leading up to the cave.
The meeting was attended by J&K LG Manoj Sinha, besides the home secretary, Intelligence Bureau director, CRPF and BSF DG, BRO DG, general officer commanding-in-chief Northern Command and J&K chief secretary.
Sources told TOI that a presentation was made at the meeting regarding the detailed plan for an incident-free Amarnath yatra. The arrangements listed also include radio frequency identification tags for pilgrims and regular checking of vehicles for IEDs, including sticky bombs. Adequate central para-military personnel will be deployed along the yatra route. At least 4.5 lakh yatris are expected this year.
Sources told TOI that special measures are being taken to guard against possible disasters like the cloudburst that killed 16 pilgrims last year. Sources told TOI that the BRO has been entrusted with preparing the tracks for the yatra, including fixing the weak or damaged railings and bridges.
“The vulnerable areas are being identified and no tentage will be allowed to come up in these areas. Aerial surveys will be conducted to detect any formation of glacial lakes and immediate steps taken to prevent breaches,” a senior government functionary told TOI.
At a high-level meeting here on Friday to review the security, administrative and infrastructural arrangements for the annual pilgrimage, home minister Amit Shah said it’s the Modi government’s priority to facilitate hassle-free and comfortable ‘darshan’ of the holy cave for devotees. He directed that adequate security arrangements be made along the entire route of the pilgrimage, right from the point of arrival at the airport, railway station or bus station to the yatris’ accommodation, base camps and along the Baltal and Pahalgam routes leading up to the cave.
The meeting was attended by J&K LG Manoj Sinha, besides the home secretary, Intelligence Bureau director, CRPF and BSF DG, BRO DG, general officer commanding-in-chief Northern Command and J&K chief secretary.
Sources told TOI that a presentation was made at the meeting regarding the detailed plan for an incident-free Amarnath yatra. The arrangements listed also include radio frequency identification tags for pilgrims and regular checking of vehicles for IEDs, including sticky bombs. Adequate central para-military personnel will be deployed along the yatra route. At least 4.5 lakh yatris are expected this year.
Sources told TOI that special measures are being taken to guard against possible disasters like the cloudburst that killed 16 pilgrims last year. Sources told TOI that the BRO has been entrusted with preparing the tracks for the yatra, including fixing the weak or damaged railings and bridges.
“The vulnerable areas are being identified and no tentage will be allowed to come up in these areas. Aerial surveys will be conducted to detect any formation of glacial lakes and immediate steps taken to prevent breaches,” a senior government functionary told TOI.
