Annual pilgrimage to begin on July 3, culminate on August 28
Jammu Tawi, Jun 10: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting here to review preparations for forthcoming Amarnath Yatra slated to commence on July 3.
According to the details available, LG Sinha directed all departments to ensure timely completion of arrangements including infrastructure, healthcare, sanitation, connectivity, and other pilgrim centric services.
“Amarnath Yatra will begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28. Our collective goal is to ensure a safe, seamless, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for every devotee of Baba Barfani,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Emphasizing seamless coordination, proactive planning, and strict monitoring, the Lieutenant Governor stated that this sacred pilgrimage is a national event. He instructed all stakeholders to work with utmost dedication and maintain the highest standards of efficiency and safety.
LARGE NUMBER OF PILGRIMS ARE GETTING REGISTERED
During the meeting, it was informed that large number of pilgrims are getting registered, and the Yatra is expected to be higher as compared to that in recent Yatras.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed upon the need for whole of government approach and close coordinated efforts by various departments and organizations to manage and facilitate the Yatra 2026.
BALTAL, PAHALGAM ROUTES WIDENED TO AROUND 12-FEET
The Lieutenant Governor, while reviewing the infrastructure works, was apprised that the tracks along both Baltal and Pahalgam routes have been widened to around 12-feet in order to make the journey comfortable, and that all the remaining works are progressing as per timelines. He directed the concerned agencies, including BRO, to ensure that both tracks are fully functional by June 25 and that crash barriers and hand railings are installed at all vulnerable points on the roads leading to the two base camps.
ENSURE COMPREHENSIVE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
The Lieutenant Governor also reviewed arrangements relating to road connectivity, sanitation, water and power supply, registration management, health facilities, disaster management, transportation, lodgement centres, holding spaces and telecom connectivity. He directed the concerned authorities to enhance holding capacity at key locations, increase the number of toilets and ambulances, and ensure comprehensive disaster preparedness. Deputy Commissioners of Ganderbal and Anantnag were asked to conduct thorough inspection of the tracks, identify slippery stretches and shooting stone areas, and ensure installation of adequate warning signage at vulnerable spots.
CALLS FOR PITCHING ONLY HIGH QUALITY AND AESTHETIC TENTS
He further directed that pitching of only high quality and aesthetic tents at various camps should be ensured, and no unauthorized tents be permitted. All service providers and pilgrims shall be required to have valid registration and RFID cards for moving on the Yatra tracks. Pony stands are to be properly fenced, and a comprehensive emergency evacuation plan is to be prepared well in advance. The Lieutenant Governor also directed telecom service providers to ensure seamless connectivity along the Yatra route.
All concerned departments have been instructed to set up their respective Yatra camps and centres by June 20.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer, Amarnath Ji ne Board, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, presented a detailed overview of the works executed by various departments and agencies for the smooth conduct of the Yatra.
TOP OFFICERS ATTEND MEETING
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; Director General of Police, Nalin Prabhat; Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, Shahleen Kabra; Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwani Kumar; Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Department, Dr. Ashish Chandra Verma; Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Shailendra Kumar; Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department, Anil Kumar Singh; Commandant General, Home Guard / CD & SDRF; AG Mir; Principal Secretary, Home Department, Chandraker Bharti; Chief Executive Officer, Amarnath Ji ne Board, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari; Director, Fire & Emergency Services, Alok Kumar, Administrative Secretaries, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone and Kashmir Zone, Divisional Commissioners; Deputy Commissioners and senior officials of ne Board and all the line departments.
OUR COLLECTIVE GOAL IS TO ENSURE SAFE, SEAMLESS PILGRIMAGE FOR EVERY DEVOTEE OF BABA BARFANI
After chairing the meeting LG Sinha, according to KNO posted on X: “Today, chaired a high-level review meeting on preparations for Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 & directed all departments and security agencies to ensure timely completion of arrangements from infrastructure and security to healthcare, sanitation, connectivity, and pilgrim services. Amarnath Ji Yatra will begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28. Our collective goal is to ensure a safe, seamless, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for every devotee of Baba Barfani.”
Pertinently, several preparatory meetings have already been held at the district and base camp levels in Jammu, Anantnag and Ganderbal districts to ensure the smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage.
Strong coordination key to safe, smooth Yatra: CRPF
Srinagar, Jun 10: Reaffirming commitment towards safe and peaceful conduct of Amarnath Yatra 2026, Director General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) G P Singh on Wednesday said that maintaining a robust security grid and ensuring close coordination among all stakeholders is crucial for smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
The DG CRPF, who is on a three-day visit to Kashmir, conducted a detailed review of operational and logistical preparedness of the force in view of the forthcoming Yatra, including the entire route up to Baltal base camp.
He stressed that all security agencies must work in close synergy and strengthen inter-agency coordination to ensure an incident-free pilgrimage, highlighting the need for an airtight and well-synchronized security mechanism along the Yatra route.
Chairing a high-level meeting with senior officers of CRPF, J&K Police, civil administration and other security forces, he reviewed the overall preparedness and issued directions to further streamline coordination and on-ground arrangements.
At the Baltal base camp, he was briefed on the existing security grid, access control measures and logistical arrangements put in place to ensure seamless management and foolproof security for pilgrims.
The DG also undertook a comprehensive field inspection of the 118 Battalion headquarters at Gund, where he reviewed infrastructure development works and assessed the operational readiness of the unit.
He was briefed by senior officers on the prevailing security scenario and ongoing operational activities within the area of responsibility.
Reiterating focus on ground-level preparedness and troop welfare, he also interacted with officers and jawans and stayed overnight at the battalion headquarters.
The DG CRPF was accompanied by senior officers including SDG Ops Dte Central Reserve Police Force Vitul Kumar, ADG J&K Zone Rajesh Kumar, IG Kashmir Ops Sector Vineet Brij Lal, IG Prov Dte Sonal V Mishra, IG Srinagar Sector Pawan Kumar Sharma and other senior officials of the force.
