Jammu: The annual Shri Amarnath Yatra of this year will commence from July 3 simultaneously from both the routes – the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district.
The pilgrimage will culminate on August 9, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday chaired the 48th Board meeting of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) at Raj Bhavan here.
The meeting was attended by Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, D. C. Raina, Kailash Mehra Sadhu, K. N. Rai, Pitambar Lal Gupta, Dr. Shailesh Raina and Prof Vishwamurti Shastri, Members of the Shrine Board.
The Board proposed various measures and interventions to further improve the facilities and services for the devotees.
Considering the likely increased inflow of pilgrims for Shri Amarnath Yatra-2025, the meeting discussed measures for the enhancement of lodgement capacity at centres in Jammu, Srinagar and other locations, operationalization of Yatri facilitation centres for e-KYC, issuance of RFID cards, on-spot registration of pilgrims at number of locations including Nowgam and Katra Railway Stations.
It was further discussed that these facilities must also be suitably enhanced at Baltal, Pahalgam, Nunwan, Pantha Chowk Srinagar, as per the requirement.
Reviewing the progress achieved on various ongoing works undertaken by the line departments, the Lieutenant Governor stressed on the need for ensuring adequate arrangements and requisite amenities at various locations enroute Yatra.
He further called for increasing capacity at Yatri Niwas, Pantha Chowk, Srinagar.
The meeting also discussed ongoing projects, dissemination of Yatra-related information, insurance cover to yatris, service providers, ponies; extension of online services by the Shrine Board; widening and maintenance of Yatra Tracks; decongestion measures at Holy Cave and Lower Holy Cave area; Disaster preparedness and mitigation measures; adequate provisioning of Heli services, medical care facilities; Weather Forecasting Infrastructure & Systems, security and surveillance and Digital Pre-paid system for hiring services.
On the occasion, Sinha felicitated the Board Members and expressed gratitude for their valuable contribution and continuous guidance in successful conduct of the yatra.
Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, gave a detailed presentation regarding the arrangements for the Yatra.
Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Nalin Prabhat, DGP; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary Home; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Deputy Commissioners (Ganderbal and Anantnag); Additional CEO SASB and senior officers of the UT Administration and Shrine Board also attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode.