Navratras to begin Sept 22, Vaishno Devi Shrine Board reviews yatra preparedness

14/09/2025

Jammu, Sep 13: With the nine-day Navratras scheduled to begin from September 22, and to ensure seamless pilgri-mage during the festival time, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), today presided over a joint meeting at the Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra.
The CEO convened the meeting with security agencies and local authorities for a comprehensive review of the preparations for the upcoming Navratra scheduled to start from September 22 and continue till October 1, 2025.
The meeting was attended by Additional CEO, SMVDSB; SSP Reasi; Commandant, CRPF; Jt. CEO, SMVDSB; SDM Katra; SP Katra; Dy. CEO; Asstt. CEOs, SMVDSB; Tehsildar, Bhawan& SMVDSB; SDPO Katra; and representatives from the Army, Fire and Emergency Services and other allied agencies.
The CEO underscored that Navratras are coming closer and the Board is expecting a considerable flow of devotees at the Holy Shrine, besides at the base camp Katra, and he stressed on synergy between all stakeholders during the Navratras Festival. He also exhorted action on diverse fronts for hassle-free pilgrimage during the coming days.
As per the directions of the Chairman, SMVDSB (Lt. Governor, JK-UT Manoj Sinha), the CEO stressed the importance of disaster management preparedness, including fire fighting arrangements and simulation exercises.
He directed that SDRF personnel work in tandem with SMVDSB's Disaster Management Task Force to monitor vulnerable areas and enhance crowd management capabilities. The CEO instructed installation of additional signages along the track, regular public announcements and joint beat monitoring to decongest crowds and designate holding areas.
He emphasized readiness of gas cutters and essential rescue tools across all sectors and called for strengthening the communication network by reviving wireless sets and enhancing infrastructure for seamless coordination. Effective utilization of the Integrated Command and Control Centre was underscored for real-time monitoring and response. The CEO reiterated that pilgrims must carry valid RFID cards to undertake the yatra, and additional handheld scanners with sufficient staff will be deployed to enforce this directive.
Measures to verify credentials of Pithoo and Ponywallas were discussed to prevent impersonation and ensure their legitimate presence on the yatra track. SDM Katra was instructed to identify additional holding areas in Katra to accommodate pilgrims in case of yatra suspension due to inclement weather.
Further directions were issued regarding vehicular movement, sanitation, drinking water arrangements and illumination of dark spots in Katra town. The CEO called for physical and systemic improvements wherever required after critical examination.
Representatives of security agencies highlighted key challenges for the deployed security forces in coming days for managing the expected influx of pilgrims on Navratra. SSP Reasi and Commandant, CRPF presented a detailed security grid in place and discussed various security measures that would be placed during the Navratra at Katra and enroute to the Holy Shrine, besides deployment of QRTs (quick response teams) and a multi-tier security grid comprising police, CRPF and other paramilitary forces.

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