SMVDS board sets up advanced Command Center for pilgrim safety

Srinagar, May 26: In a major security upgrade, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has installed over 700 high-definition CCTV cameras and commissioned a state-of-the-art Integrated Command and Control Center (ICCC) in Katra to ensure round-the-clock surveillance and safety of pilgrims.
The cameras, stretching from Katra town to the Bhawan, are part of a comprehensive plan to modernize security infrastructure at one of India’s most visited religious sites.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, Anshul Garg, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, said the initiative followed a high-level security review chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, along with senior officials from multiple security agencies.
“Several key recommendations were made, including the upgradation of our CCTV surveillance grid. Over the past six months, we have worked diligently on this project, and I am pleased to share that it is now fully operational,” Garg said.
He said this system enables live video monitoring from Katra to Bhawan, with trained personnel from the police and army deployed to manage the ICCC’s operations.
“This facility is a significant step in enhancing the safety of pilgrims. It integrates advanced surveillance technologies, AI-based monitoring, and secure communication networks. A joint team from the Shrine Board and security agencies is now continuously monitoring entry points, pilgrim movement, service providers, and infrastructure along the route,” he added.
To further bolster security, the Shrine Board has also installed modern equipment including X-ray baggage scanners, AI-powered facial recognition systems, automatic number plate recognition, metal detectors, and under-vehicle scanning systems.
The network of 700 CCTV cameras features gesture detection, facial recognition, and PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) capabilities, allowing security teams to respond quickly to any suspicious activity.
“After last year’s joint security review, the decision was made to centralize and strengthen our surveillance. Earlier, we had 500 cameras with fragmented inputs. We added 200 new cameras and linked all feeds to the new command center,” Garg said.
With the peak holiday season approaching, the CEO Garg said that a surge in pilgrim footfall and said the Board is finalizing all arrangements, including registration, staff deployment, and logistics, to ensure a smooth and secure pilgrimage experience.
“The operationalisation of the ICCC marks a new era in technology-driven security management at the Vaishno Devi shrine, promising greater situational awareness, faster response times, and enhanced safety for millions of visiting devotees,” he said.
This security enhancement follows Operation Sindoor and intelligence reports of attempted attacks on religious places in India, including a foiled conspiracy targeting the Golden Temple in Amritsar. In response, the Shrine Board expedited the ICCC project to safeguard Vaishno Devi, one of India’s most iconic pilgrimage sites.