Jammu: The annual Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 9, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival. This year, the pilgrimage will take place along both the Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the Baltal route in Ganderbal district, as announced by the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB).
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who chaired the 48th Board meeting of SASB at Raj Bhawan on Wednesday, reviewed the preparations for the pilgrimage. The meeting was attended by Board members, including Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, D.C. Raina, Kailash Mehra Sadhu, K.N. Rai, Pitambar Lal Gupta, Shailesh Raina, and Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri.
To accommodate the expected surge in pilgrims, discussions focused on enhancing lodging facilities in Jammu, Srinagar, and other key locations. Plans were also laid out for the operationalization of Yatri facilitation centers for e-KYC, issuance of RFID cards, and on-the-spot registration at locations such as Nowgam and Katra Railway Stations. Additionally, facilities at Baltal, Pahalgam, Nunwan, and Pantha Chowk in Srinagar will be upgraded as required.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasized the need for adequate arrangements and amenities along the Yatra route and stressed the importance of increasing capacity at Yatri Niwas in Pantha Chowk, Srinagar. Other key discussions included security and surveillance measures, disaster preparedness, medical care facilities, decongestion at the Holy Cave area, insurance coverage for yatris and service providers, and the availability of helicopter services.
Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer of SASB, provided a comprehensive presentation on the arrangements for the Yatra. Senior officials, including Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Shaleen Kabra, DGP Nalin Prabhat, Principal Secretary Home Chandraker Bharti, and other administrative and police officials, attended the meeting in person and via virtual mode.
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