Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, April 12 

The annual Amarnath Yatra will commence on July 3 this year and conclude on August 28, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Sunday, outlining arrangements for the 57-day pilgrimage.

Addressing reporters in Jammu, LG Sinha said the yatra would begin after the traditional Pratham Puja on June 29 and coincide with Raksha Bandhan on its closing day.

Advance registration for pilgrims will open on April 15 through both online and offline modes, he said, adding that facilities would be available across hundreds of bank branches nationwide. Registration can also be completed via the official website of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.

LG Sinha said only devotees aged between 13 and 70 years would be eligible to register for the pilgrimage.

He noted a steady rise in participation in recent years, attributing it to improved infrastructure and better facilities for pilgrims.

To enhance safety, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards will be mandatory for all registered pilgrims and service providers, while group accident insurance coverage has been increased to 1 million rupees per person, he said.

Infrastructure upgrades have been carried out along both the Baltal and Nunwan routes, including widening of tracks and strengthening of vulnerable stretches and bridges by the Border Roads Organisation.

The administration has also expanded accommodation capacity at key locations, with additional Yatri Niwas facilities being made operational at Baltal, Nunwan and other stops along the route.

LG Sinha said real-time monitoring systems, including surveillance cameras and tracking mechanisms, have been introduced to improve management of the pilgrimage. 

Prepaid services for ponies, porters and palanquins will continue this year.

Security arrangements have been strengthened with deployment of police, paramilitary forces and mountain rescue teams, while the army will take positions at higher altitudes as part of standard preparations.

Weather forecasting capabilities have also improved with the installation of Doppler radar systems, enabling more accurate predictions during the yatra period.

Health infrastructure has been expanded, including the establishment of two 100-bed hospitals at Baltal and Chandanwari, staffed by medical teams from across the country.

LG Sinha said sanitation, connectivity and other essential services had been significantly improved with support from the central government and telecom providers.

He urged devotees to participate in large numbers, saying preparations were underway to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage experience.

The Amarnath Yatra, one of Hinduism’s most significant pilgrimages, draws hundreds of thousands of devotees annually to the cave shrine in the Himalayas.