Foolproof security arrangements on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway ahead of pilgrimage

Srinagar, Jun 30: Two days ahead of commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra, authorities have scaled up security measures along the crucial Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, recognizing its vital role in both the pilgrimage and the everyday life.

From CCTV surveillance to road opening parties (ROPs) and strengthened Facial Recognition Systems a comprehensive security and logistics framework has been put in place along National Highway to ensure the safe and smooth passage of pilgrims. This year, a notable expansion of security protocols has been observed. Unlike last year, ROPs have now been deployed from Lakhanpur to Jammu — the entry point of Jammu and Kashmir — a significant move aimed at plugging earlier security gaps.

“From road opening parties to CCTV cameras, everything has been set up, and security has also been provided at langars and lodging centres,” a senior official of the Jammu and Kashmir Police told Greater Kashmir. “There was no ROP arrangement from Lakhanpur to Jammu last year, but this year there will be ROP here as well.”

The National Highway (NH-44) serves not only as the lifeline connecting Kashmir Valley but also as the primary route for thousands of Amarnath pilgrims. Keeping its importance in view, senior officials said that traffic regulation has been meticulously planned. Special corridors for yatra convoys have been marked, and movement of civilian traffic is being managed to avoid bottlenecks and security vulnerabilities.

“We have strengthened deployments at all sensitive points, reviewed the traffic regulation plan, and taken necessary precautions to deal with any contingency,” said the senior officer. “Our focus is on ensuring that the Yatra is conducted in a safe, peaceful, and coordinated manner.”

As part of a multi-pronged security strategy for Yatra, authorities have further strengthened the Facial Recognition Surveillance network along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. This move is aimed at tightening vigil against anti-national and disruptive elements.

Senior officials in the security told Greater Kashmiri that advanced facial recognition cameras have been installed at multiple strategic points, particularly along sensitive stretches of the highway and key yatra transit hubs including Nagrota, Udhampur, Ramban, Banihal, and Anantnag.

“This year, we have upgraded our facial recognition systems with high-resolution analytics capability,” said another senior Jammu and Kashmir Police officer associated with the highway security operations. “These systems are linked to centralized criminal databases and can flag suspicious or blacklisted individuals in real-time.”

The systems are being actively monitored from integrated control rooms, which also oversee live CCTV feeds from hundreds of cameras installed along the National Highway. Authorities have been quick to point out that the technology is being used strictly for security purposes and is crucial to preventing possible threats to the pilgrimage.

“Facial recognition is a force multiplier in our security architecture. It allows us to track movements without creating delays at checkpoints,” said an official from the CRPF deployed in Ramban sector. “If anyone on the watchlist enters the monitored zone, alerts are automatically generated.”

The deployment of this surveillance tech has been intensified in zones considered vulnerable to infiltration and subversive activity, especially in high-traffic areas like Banihal Tunnel, Nachlana, Ramsu, and Chanderkote.

In coordination with intelligence agencies, facial recognition data is also being cross-verified with ongoing security assessments. With facial recognition systems now an integral part of the broader tech-driven security umbrella, which includes drones, GPS-tracked convoy movement, RFID tagging of vehicles, and multi-tiered human surveillance, the administration has significantly bolstered its preparedness.

Combined with traditional security setups such as road opening parties (ROPs), bunker-based patrols, and CRPF quick response units, the integration of facial recognition marks a shift toward predictive and preventive security frameworks for mass gatherings.

Ramban district — located at the heart of NH-44 — continues to receive special attention due to its strategic significance. As a transit district through which every yatra convoy must pass, Ramban remains under heightened security vigil this year.

District Police, in close coordination with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other security agencies, have set up multi-layered checkpoints and intensified patrolling in sensitive and vulnerable zones. Areas like Banihal, Nachlana, Ramsu, and Chanderkote, identified as potential hotspots, are being monitored round-the-clock.

“Ramban is not just a transit route but a critical point for logistics, rest halts, and emergency services,” said a Ramban district official. “We have ensured layered security here, especially with the deployment of QRTs (Quick Reaction Teams), anti-sabotage checks, and increased surveillance in sensitive areas.”

The civil administration teams have ramped up facilities at langars (community kitchens), resting shelters, and medical aid centres. Special squads from health departments, PWD, PHE, and disaster response teams have been deployed along the route. Safety of the langars and lodging centres—especially along the highway—is a critical component of the overall security design. Metal detectors, CCTV surveillance, and personnel verification systems are now in place at these congregation points.

Officials also confirm that contingency plans have been drawn up to tackle any untoward incidents, landslides, or weather disruptions. Control rooms are active 24/7 and connected to the centralized command system. “This year, the entire effort is toward integration and seamless coordination between multiple agencies — from intelligence inputs to on-ground action,” said a senior CRPF officer.