Jammu, March 16 The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board on Monday reviewed arrangements for the smooth conduct of pilgrimage to the cave shrine during the upcoming Chaitra Navratri, which begins on March 19, and said that additional security personnel would be deployed during the period to ensure the safety of devotees.
The meeting, held in Katra, the base camp for the pilgrimage to the hilltop shrine, was presided over by the shrine board Chief Executive Officer Sachin Kumar Vaishya, who reviewed crowd management, security deployment, disaster preparedness, and pilgrim facilitation along the entire route in view of the expected surge in devotees.
Additional security personnel will be deployed at key checkpoints, while regular public announcements will guide and sensitize pilgrims, officials said, elaborating on the arrangements.
During peak hours, alternate tracks will be optimally utilized to regulate movement and ensure effective crowd management, they said.
Security measures include the deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and a multi-tier setup comprising the police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other agencies, Reasi Senior Superintendent of Police Paramvir Singh said while presenting a detailed security grid.
Officials also discussed the use of advanced wireless communication systems linked to the Integrated Command and Control Centre to enhance real-time coordination, surveillance, and overall security in and around the shrine area.
Strict enforcement of RFID-based yatra cards was also directed, allowing only pilgrims with valid cards to proceed, they said.
Authorities emphasized close coordination among all stakeholders to establish a robust and responsive security framework.
Arrangements for decoration were reviewed with instructions to use non-synthetic materials to minimize fire hazards, officials said, adding that fire and emergency services were asked to conduct a comprehensive safety audit and ensure the readiness of firefighting equipment and personnel at strategic locations.
The shrine board also ordered stringent verification of 'pithoos' and pony operators, including documentation checks, to prevent impersonation and ensure that only authorized service providers operate on the track, they said.
Officials said a special drive will be launched against unauthorized parking to ease congestion, with vehicles liable to be towed. "Arrangements for crowd management at the Katra railway station were also reviewed in anticipation of heavy pilgrim inflow during the Navratra period."
