KATRA, November 18 — The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has mandated a significant upgrade in disaster management and security protocols following a comprehensive review meeting held on Monday. The review, chaired by CEO Sachin Kumar Vaishya, involved officials from the Board and security and administrative heads from Reasi district. The directives aim to enhance pilgrim safety through better coordination, modernized equipment, and stricter compliance with safety measures.
The CEO issued several key instructions focused on disaster preparedness, underscoring the necessity of swift and effective response. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was instructed to organize frequent mock drills to ensure Shrine Board teams and stakeholder agencies are fully prepared and inter-agency coordination is optimized.
Furthermore, the Fire and Emergency Services were directed to undertake a comprehensive fire safety audit of both the track and the main shrine area to strengthen existing mechanisms and strictly adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
To bolster operational capacity, the CEO called for a thorough inventory audit of disaster management stores located along the track and in the Bhawan area. Stores must be replenished and upgraded, and all equipment must be rigorously examined for operational readiness. Critical to coordination is the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), whose full-scale utilization was emphasized as the central hub for real-time monitoring and seamless decision-making during emergencies.
To ensure “foolproof security” along the pilgrimage route, the CEO directed security agencies to deploy additional personnel within the shrine area and its adjoining zones. A rigorous review of the functionality and operational readiness of all security equipment currently in use was requested, coupled with the directive for the immediate procurement of any critical devices.
Finally, concerned agencies were asked to expedite the verification process of individuals employed in local shops operating along the track and within Katra town. The review also included detailed discussions on the movement of vehicles within the shrine area, with necessary instructions conveyed to the concerned quarters.