Pahalgam, July 1 (KNS): In a significant step towards ensuring a clean and safe Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025, Director General Rural Sanitation, J&K, Anoo Malhotra (JKAS), today conducted an extensive tour of Pahalgam axis and took a holistic review of the sanitation and IEC preparedness, including the Nunwan Base Camp and Chandanwari.

The DG’s visit focused on ground-level readiness, workforce deployment, and visibility of IEC material across the entire axis.
A total of 7,361 trained sanitation personnel have been successfully deployed across both Pahalgam and Baltal routes, with teams operating in shifts to provide uninterrupted sanitation services throughout the pilgrimage.

During her visit to Nunwan base camp, Malhotra inspected the frisking point, interacted with sanitation workers and field officials, and assessed cleanliness measures on-site.
She also visited Chandanwari, the key halting station on the Pahalgam axis, where she reviewed the sanitation infrastructure, availability of water, and deployment of workforce.
She emphasized that efforts must be redoubled in high-footfall areas like Chandanwari to ensure hygienic conditions are maintained throughout the day.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

A special emphasis was laid on the installation of gender-specific and distance-marked signage near toilet and bathing facilities.
The DG stressed that such measures are essential for improving accessibility, especially for women, the elderly, and differently-abled yatris.

Chairing a review meeting earlier at Pahalgam Club, attended by Assistant Commissioner Panchayat (Anantnag) and nodal officers of the department, Malhotra directed that uniformity and professionalism be ensured in the dress code of all sanitation workers, irrespective of the agency they are deployed under.
A standard dress code across agencies would enhance both visibility and accountability.

The DG appreciated the visibility of IEC materials, including banners and awareness posters. However, she underlined the need to intensify outreach by installing additional IEC content—such as hoardings and large-format banners—at strategic locations, especially at Nunwan and Chandanwari, to promote behavioral change and active public participation in maintaining cleanliness along the Yatra route. (KNS)