KATRA: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Chief Executive Officer Sachin Kumar Vaishya on Saturday chaired a comprehensive review meeting at the Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra, to assess security preparedness for the pilgrimage and arrangements for the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the Independence Day programme to be organised at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sports Complex, Katra.
The CEO will unfurl the National Flag and inspect the parade comprising contingents of Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, Shrine Security, NCC and students from different schools of the region.
The meeting also reviewed arrangements for the cultural programme to be presented during the celebrations. It was decided that the programme would reflect the spirit of the national occasion while also highlighting socially relevant themes, including the “Nasha Mukt Abhiyaan”.
Officials were directed to ensure that invitations are extended in time to prominent citizens, local representatives, stakeholders and residents of Katra to facilitate wider public participation.
The meeting laid special emphasis on strengthening security arrangements in and around the Shrine area, Katra town and the Sports Complex, besides ensuring close coordination among all stakeholders for the safety of pilgrims and smooth conduct of the national event.
Concerned agencies were directed to maintain heightened vigilance and undertake necessary preventive measures.
The meeting also stressed regular security drills to prevent impersonation and ensure that only duly registered and authorised service providers are engaged in pilgrimage-related services.
Enhanced area domination, surveillance and preventive security measures were also discussed.
It was decided that additional security personnel would be deployed at identified vulnerable and strategic locations, while technology-enabled monitoring through the Integrated Command and Control Centre and other surveillance systems would be used for real-time monitoring and prompt response.
The Superintendent of Police, Katra, and Commandant, CRPF, briefed the meeting about the security arrangements being put in place and assured coordinated deployment of personnel and resources.
The meeting also underlined the importance of continuous coordination for crowd regulation, traffic management, parking, emergency response, communication and prompt handling of any exigency.
The meeting was attended by SSP Reasi, Additional CEO, Joint CEO, Deputy CEO and Assistant CEOs of SMVDSB, SDM Katra, Tehsildar Bhawan and SMVDSB, ACF SMVDSB, SDPOs of Katra and Bhawan, besides senior officers of the Army, Police, CRPF, Railways, Fire and Emergency Services, intelligence agencies and other concerned departments.
