Srinagar 01 Jul – The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday said all arrangements have been put in place for the annual Amarnath Yatra, with accommodation for nearly 55,000 pilgrims, enhanced security measures, RFID-based tracking and extensive logistical support ahead of the pilgrimage beginning on July 3.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), will flag off the first batch of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu at 4 am on July 2.
The 57-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine will commence simultaneously on July 3 via the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
Addressing a press conference in Jammu, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar said comprehensive arrangements had been made across the Jammu division to ensure a smooth and hassle-free pilgrimage.
“As of now, arrangements have been made to accommodate around 55,000 pilgrims across the Jammu division. Facilities for accommodation, food, sanitation, healthcare, transport and security have been put in place so that no pilgrim faces any inconvenience,” Kumar said.
Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti said security had been strengthened further this year, with escorted convoys and strict traffic regulations in place.
Pilgrims entering Jammu and Kashmir through Lakhanpur between 6 am and 8 am will be escorted to Jammu under security cover, while those arriving later will have to halt due to security restrictions, he said.
Authorities have directed pilgrims to use only the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, with movement through alternate routes such as the Mughal Road and Dhar Road barred for Yatra traffic. Mini-convoys will also operate between Udhampur and Banihal according to a fixed schedule, subject to weather and road conditions.
Accommodation centres have been established from Lakhanpur to Banihal, including government lodging facilities, temporary shelters and accommodation arranged with the support of civil society organisations. Free community kitchens (langars) have also been set up along the route.
On-the-spot registration for pilgrims will begin on Wednesday at the Tawi River Front in Jammu, where the registration centre has been shifted to reduce congestion within the city. Officials said registrations would be carried out according to the daily quota fixed by the Shrine Board.
Mandatory RFID cards for tracking and security will be issued at designated centres, including Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu Railway Station, Tawi River Front, Udhampur, Chanderkote, Banihal, Lakhanpur and Samba. Pilgrims who have completed online registration and e-KYC have been advised to collect the cards before proceeding to the base camp.
Separate registration facilities have also been arranged for sadhus at Geeta Bhawan and Purani Mandi temple, while general pilgrims will register at the Tawi River Front and Mahajan Sabha.
Officials urged pilgrims to strictly follow Shrine Board guidelines and carry mandatory health certificates. Elderly pilgrims and those suffering from cardiac or respiratory ailments have been advised to undertake the pilgrimage only after obtaining medical clearance.
Pilgrims travelling in private vehicles have been asked to report at Bhagwati Nagar by 10 pm on the eve of their scheduled departure to complete security checks and other formalities. Drivers have also been advised to ensure their vehicles are fully fuelled before joining the escorted convoy and avoid driving under fatigue or the influence of intoxicants on the mountainous Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
The administration said nearly 2,100 toilets have been installed along the pilgrimage route and a traffic advisory has been issued for non-Yatra vehicles to ensure smooth movement.
Officials said pilgrims can register through three authorised modes: online via the Shrine Board portal after e-KYC, advance registration at around 165 designated bank branches across the country, or on-the-spot registration subject to the daily quota. A token system has also been introduced to regulate the rush during the initial days of the pilgrimage.
To facilitate pilgrims waiting for their scheduled departure, sightseeing bus services to religious and tourist destinations around Jammu have also been arranged in collaboration with the Tourism Department and the Jammu Municipal Corporation.
Responding to reports of a stampede during token distribution, the administration denied any such incident, saying there was only a brief rush on the first day as pilgrims sought early registration tokens.
