Jammu: The advance registration for annual Shri Amarnath Yatra is likely to begin from April 15 in around 540 branches of various banks across the country.
This year the Amarnath Yatra will start from June 29 and conclude on August 19 on Rakshabandhan.
Official sources said around 540 branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Punjab National Bank (PNB), State Bank of India (SBI) and Yes Bank across the country have been designated for advance registration of pilgrims from April 15 for this year’s Shri Amarnath Yatra.
For Jammu and Kashmir, they said the registration process will begin in 21 branches of PNB, SBI and J&K Bank, adding, “for registration, it is mandatory for the pilgrims to produce a health certificate as children below 13 years, elders above 70 years and six-week pregnant women will not be permitted for the pilgrimage.”
They said for Ladakh, registration facilities for pilgrims will be available only at J&K Bank Branch in Leh.
Sources further stated that more than 230 doctors have also been authorized in various medical centers in all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir for issuing Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) for advance yatri registration.
Of these, they said 76 doctors are to be deployed in Kashmir division and 162 in Jammu division while certificates will also be issued in district hospitals, community medical centers including health centres, NTPHC and UPHC.
“The pilgrim permit to each pilgrim will be issued from the bank on the payment of Rs 150,” they said and added that for group registration, facility has been provided for five or more pilgrims and the applications for the same will be issued by May 31.
They said, “the group registration shall be issued on ‘first come, first served’ basis,” adding, “a fee of Rs 250 has been fixed for pilgrim registration certificate and it is mandatory to submit an Aadhaar card, health certificate etc. in the application form for group registration.”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board also chaired a meeting last month here at the Raj Bhawan and discussed the arrangements and preparations for the yatra.
The 52-day long pilgrimage concludes on August 19 on the occasion of Rakshabandhan.
“After the conclusion of the Lok Sabha Polls, the administration will get busy with Shri Amarnath preparations,” sources added.
In 2023, around 4.5 lakh pilgrims visited Shri Amarnath Cave.