Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has put in place extensive security, accommodation and logistical arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra, with the first batch of pilgrims scheduled to depart from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on July 2.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also heads the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), will flag off the first convoy at 4 am, officials said.
The 57-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine will officially begin on July 3 from both routes — the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar said arrangements have been made to accommodate around 55,000 pilgrims across the Jammu division, with facilities including food, sanitation, healthcare, transport and lodging.
“Comprehensive arrangements have been made for all pilgrims arriving in the Jammu division to ensure they do not face any inconvenience,” Kumar said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti said security measures have been strengthened this year to ensure a safe pilgrimage. Pilgrims arriving at Lakhanpur between 6 am and 8 am will be escorted to Jammu under security cover, while those reaching after the cut-off time will have to halt there due to security restrictions.
Authorities have directed pilgrims to use only the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for Yatra movement. Alternative routes, including Mughal Road and Dhar Road, will not be permitted for pilgrimage traffic.
Mini-convoys will operate between Udhampur and Banihal according to a fixed schedule, with timings subject to changes depending on weather and road conditions.
Accommodation facilities have been arranged from Lakhanpur to Banihal through government centres, temporary shelters and support from civil society organisations. Langars, healthcare facilities, sanitation services and transport arrangements have also been expanded.
Separate escorted convoys will move towards the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps, from where pilgrims will begin their trek to the holy cave shrine.
On-the-spot registration for pilgrims will start from Wednesday at the Tawi River Front in Jammu. Officials said the registration centre has been shifted to reduce inconvenience to residents. Pilgrims will be registered according to the daily quota fixed by the Shrine Board.
Mandatory RFID cards for tracking and security purposes will be issued at designated centres, including Jammu Railway Station, Bhagwati Nagar, Tawi River Front, Udhampur Railway Station, Chanderkote, Banihal, Lakhanpur and Samba.
Authorities advised pilgrims to carry mandatory health certificates and follow Shrine Board guidelines. Elderly devotees and those with cardiac or respiratory conditions have been advised to seek medical clearance before undertaking the journey.
Pilgrims travelling in private vehicles have been asked to report at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp by 10 pm a day before departure to complete security checks and formalities. They have also been advised to keep vehicles fuelled and avoid fatigue or unsafe driving on the mountainous highway.
The administration said nearly 2,100 toilets have been installed along the Yatra route and issued traffic guidelines for non-pilgrimage vehicles.
Officials clarified that registration can be completed through three authorised modes — online registration through the official Shrine Board portal after e-KYC, advance registration at around 165 designated bank branches, and on-the-spot registration based on availability.
A token system has been introduced to manage crowds during the initial days of the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, sightseeing bus services have been arranged in Jammu for pilgrims waiting for their allotted dates, allowing them to visit nearby religious and tourist destinations.
Officials also denied reports of a stampede during token distribution, stating that only a brief rush occurred on the first day as pilgrims gathered to collect tokens.
