Srinagar: Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today addressed a press conference ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin on July 3 He assured that comprehensive arrangements have been made by the Shrine Board for the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
Two designated routes have been prepared for the Yatra, and the roads leading to the holy cave have been widened to ensure safe movement, LG Sinha said.
To enhance surveillance Facial Recognition Systems (FRS) have been installed on both routes. These systems will help detect any potential terror threat at the earliest, he added.
LG Sinha acknowledged the impact of the recent Pahalgam attack stating that the expected number of devotees has declined by nearly 40,000 compared to last year.
To secure the Yatra, a three-tier security system has been implemented, and all tourist destinations across Kashmir have also been brought under tight security cover. this time we have multi-layered and in-depth security arrangements so that we can make this yatra safe and comfortable for the pilgrims
The Pahalgam incident had a nationwide impact, severely affecting J&K tourism. But we are seeing gradual improvement in tourist arrivals, he said.
Due to heightened security concerns, helicopter services have been temporarily suspended for the Yatra.
Earlier A mock drill was also conducted to review the alertness and response of the security grid along both the south Kashmir Pahalgam and north Kashmir Baltal routes.
In addition to the components of the district police in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir through which the pilgrims will pass, 10 SPs, 15 DySPs, and hundreds of CAPF personnel have been deployed additionally to provide security to the Yatra this year.
High-definition CCTV cameras, drone surveillance, and satellite tracking have been integrated into the security grid. While the security forces provide flawless security to the Yatris, the Civil administration has been tasked with ensuring civic amenities, including water supply, electricity, sanitation, and medical facilities at each designated halting station.
