PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
To ensure a safe and smooth Char Dham Yatra, the Uttarakhand government has put into place a robust security network. Police have identified accident-prone zones and taken steps to maintain smooth traffic flow. A total of 274 accident-prone spots and 61 black spots have been identified to reduce risks and improve safety during the annual pilgrimage.
According to police, 52 bottleneck points and 109 landslide-prone areas have been identified too. To manage the pressure of vehicles during the Yatra, 118 parking lots have been marked along the routes.
More than 7,000 police officers and personnel have been deployed at the four shrines—Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Along with the police, teams of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) have also been stationed at important locations to handle any emergency.
Senior officers have been given key responsibilities to facilitate a trouble-free yatra. Two additional directors general of police (ADG) and four inspectors general (IG) are overseeing the arrangements while the inspector general of police, Garhwal Range, Rajeev Swaroop has been made the nodal officer for the entire yatra. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is also helping in maintaining security in the region.
The Yatra area has been divided into 16 super zones, 43 zones and 149 sectors for better management. For the first time, motorcycle patrolling will be used along with modern technology to monitor traffic and safety. Pilgrims will also receive real-time traffic and weather updates through mobile alerts. To improve surveillance, 92 CCTV cameras have been installed at the shrines and 1,168 cameras along the routes. Additionally, 15 drones will be used for aerial monitoring.
The officials said these steps will help maintain law and order, manage crowds and ensure that pilgrims have a safe and comfortable journey.
