Over 600 CCTV cameras activated, convoy rehearsals conducted
Punjab Spl DGP reviews pilgrimage route security, NSG drills continue in Jammu
Jammu Tawi, Jun 29: Ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra beginning July 3, security agencies have intensified preparations across the pilgrimage route from Punjab to Kashmir, conducting mock drills, activating surveillance systems and strengthening inter-agency coordination to ensure the safe movement of thousands of pilgrims.
According to the details, the first batches of pilgrims have started arriving in Jammu and Kashmir, while security forces remain on high alert with elaborate arrangements in place along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, transit camps and the twin routes leading to the holy cave shrine, nestled in Himalayas.
On the occasion of the Pratham Puja, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Inspector General Dr Akun Sabharwal inaugurated Medical Aid Posts at the Holy Cave and Brarimarg. He also led a plantation drive, reaffirming the force’s commitment to pilgrims’ welfare and environmental conservation.
In Jammu, authorities have fully activated the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), equipped with more than 600 high-definition CCTV cameras, including long-range Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras, to monitor movement across the city. Officials said the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s “Third Eye” surveillance system has also been activated to detect potential threats and facilitate immediate response.
“The integrated command centre will provide real-time monitoring of Yatra routes, base camps and other strategic locations to ensure effective coordination and swift response during the pilgrimage,” an official said.
Security agencies also carried out a series of mock drills across Jammu and Kashmir to assess operational preparedness. A joint exercise by the Special Operations Group (SOG) and the National Security Guard (NSG) was conducted at the Raghunath Temple in Jammu to strengthen counter-terror response and inter-agency coordination.
In Budgam district, multiple agencies participated in a comprehensive security and emergency response drill aimed at testing preparedness for various contingencies during the Yatra.
On the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, security agencies conducted a large-scale convoy rehearsal involving 640 vehicles to evaluate convoy protection, traffic management and emergency response mechanisms. Officials said the exercise focused on coordination among security agencies and ensuring uninterrupted movement of pilgrims.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) also conducted a successful trial run through the newly built 3.5-km Digdool-Panthyal tunnel, with a dry-run convoy passing through one of its tubes.
In neighbouring Punjab, police have put in place a multi-layered security plan as thousands of pilgrims are expected to pass through Pathankot, the key transit district connecting Punjab with Jammu and Kashmir, between July 3 and August 28.
Punjab Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla chaired a high-level inter-state coordination meeting to review security arrangements with officials from various agencies.
According to Punjab Police, the security grid covers the 65-km Yatra route in the state through five security sectors and includes a dedicated Command and Control Centre at Madhopur, round-the-clock monitoring, strengthened checkpoints, route domination, CCTV surveillance, drone monitoring and emergency response vehicle patrols.
Spot registration of Yatra begins in Jammu: DC
Jammu Tawi, Jun 29: The distribution of tokens for on-the-spot registration of pilgrims participating in the annual Amarnath yatra will begin on Tuesday in Jammu, with the registration process set to start the following day, Deputy Commissioner Jammu Rakesh Minhas said here on Monday.
The 57-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine is scheduled to begin on July 3 from two routes: the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and the shorter yet steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district. The first group of pilgrims will depart from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu on July 2.
“Ten token counters have been established at the Tawi riverfront, and token distribution will begin transparently from 6 am on Tuesday. Registration and RFID issuance and registration for token holders will commence from the next day”, he told reporters here.
Minhas mentioned that extensive arrangements have been made to facilitate the pilgrims, including improved registration facilities, accommodation, sanitation, security, and traffic management.
“For the convenience of pilgrims, our token centre, along with e-KYC and RFID registration counters, will operate at the Tawi Riverfront. Registration counters will also function at Geeta Bhawan, Ram Mandir and Bhagwati Nagar, as in previous years,” he said.
He said the administration has created comprehensive facilities at the venue, including accommodation for around 4,000 pilgrims, more than 100 toilets and bathing units, round-the-clock community kitchens (langars), bedding, fans and other essential amenities.
He appealed to the people of Jammu to extend their traditional Dogra hospitality, urging transport operators, traders, shopkeepers, and hoteliers to treat every pilgrim as a guest and refrain from overcharging.
“This is not the time for overcharging. If you encounter a lost pilgrim, please guide them to the right place. Even offering a glass of water reflects the generosity for which Jammu is known,” he added.
Minhas emphasised the administration’s desire for Jammu to be recognised as more than just a transit point for the pilgrimage.
“Jammu is the city of temples. We want pilgrims to spend time here, visit our markets, explore tourist and religious sites and experience our culture and cuisine. We will soon unveil a new initiative to encourage pilgrims to visit places such as Bahu fort, Ranbireshwar temple, Raghunath temple, Akhnoor fort and the retreat ceremony at Chakan da Bagh,” he said.
Minhas stated that the Tawi riverfront would serve as the main facilitation centre for pilgrims and urged residents to direct visiting devotees to the venue. “Two entry points have been provided from the railway station side, including one from the Narwal side, with registration counters set up at both locations”.
Clarifying the token distribution process, he said that every pilgrim must collect the token in person, and only one token would be issued to each eligible pilgrim.
