Amarnath Yatra: LG appeals pilgrims to travel only after obtaining valid registration

Srinagar, Jul 04: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting to review the overall management and ground situation of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra 2026.

According to the details available with the news agency LG Sinha directed all departments to ensure seamless coordination for the safe and smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, senior officers of the Civil Administration, Police, Security Forces, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Intelligence Bureau, Home Department and other concerned agencies.

The Lieutenant Governor reviewed pilgrim movement, traffic management, security arrangements, accommodation, registration status and other logistical aspects of the Yatra.

During the meeting, it was observed that an unusually large number of pilgrims have been arriving without valid registration, resulting in long waiting times and operational challenges.

The Lieutenant Governor stressed that the Yatra is being conducted in accordance with the prescribed ceiling on pilgrim movement along the Yatra tracks, as mandated by the Supreme Court, and said strict adherence to the registration schedule is essential to ensure the safety, security and convenience of all pilgrims.

ONLY PILGRIMS POSSESSING VALID REGISTRATION FOR DESIGNATED DATE WILL BE ALLOWED TO PROCEED

He reiterated that only pilgrims possessing valid registration for their designated date will be allowed to proceed on the tracks leading to the Holy Cave Shrine.

Appealing to intending pilgrims who have not yet registered, the Lieutenant Governor advised them to defer their travel for the next few days to avoid inconvenience upon reaching Jammu and Kashmir.

Reviewing the security and logistical arrangements, the Lieutenant Governor directed all departments and security agencies to work in close coordination and maintain continuous liaison with Langar organisations, service providers and other stakeholders to ensure a safe, smooth and spiritually

‘OBTAIN VALID YATRA REGISTRATION PERMIT’

Meanwhile, the administration has urged all intending pilgrims to complete the mandatory registration process and obtain a valid Yatra Registration Permit for their allotted date before commencing their journey. Pilgrims travelling without confirmed registration will not be permitted to undertake the Yatra.

32,313 DEVOTEES OFFER PRAYERS AT AMARNATH CAVE SHRINE IN FIRST 2 DAYS

Meanwhile, the annual Amarnath Yatra has witnessed a strong start this year, with 32,313 devotees paying obeisance at the holy cave shrine during the first two days of the pilgrimage, a surge in pilgrim turnout.

According to official data available with the news agency, 20,145 pilgrims performed darshan at the revered cave shrine on the second day of the Yatra, marking an increase from the corresponding Day-2 figure of 14,515 recorded last year.

On the second day pilgrims comprised 14,611 men, 4,480 women, 379 children, 142 sadhus, 35 sadhvis, 17 transgender devotees and 481 security personnel.

The cumulative number of devotees who have visited the shrine since the commencement of the pilgrimage on July 3 has reached 32,313, including 12,168 pilgrims who offered prayers on the opening day.

Meanwhile, amid unprecedented security arrangements, the third batch of 4,812 pilgrims undertaking the annual pilgrimage reached the twin base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal after departing from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu early Saturday.

Officials told KNO that the pilgrims travelled in a convoy of 259 vehicles, including 95 buses, 47 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 116 light motor vehicles (LMVs) and one two-wheeler.

Of the total pilgrims, 2,041 proceeded towards the Baltal base camp, while 2,771 headed for the traditional Pahalgam route.

The batch included 3,434 male pilgrims, 966 female pilgrims, 11 children, 244 sadhus and 157 sadhvis.

Officials said the Baltal-bound convoy left Bhagwati Nagar at 3:00 am, followed by the Pahalgam-bound convoy at 3:24 am, both under multi-layered security cover.

The 57-day Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 3, is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan—(KNO).

DGP directs heightened security measures

Srinagar, Jul 04: Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Saturday directed security agencies to maintain a high level of operational preparedness and intensify surveillance across Jammu and Kashmir to ensure the safe conduct of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra.

Chairing a Union Territory-wide security review meeting at the Police Control Room here the DGP, according to the news agency assessed the security and logistical arrangements for the annual pilgrimage with senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, Central Armed Police Forces, intelligence agencies and other security organisations.

DGP Prabhat asked all agencies to ensure close coordination and step up area domination and night domination exercises, particularly along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, critical road corridors and the twin Yatra routes.

He directed field officers to maintain a close watch on anti-national and disruptive elements to prevent any attempt to disturb peace during the pilgrimage.

The DGP also instructed officers to strictly verify the identity credentials of pilgrims and ensure effective use of the RFID-based tracking system for real-time monitoring of registered yatris.

He said issues relating to unregistered pilgrims should be handled in coordination with the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board while ensuring that only duly registered devotees are allowed to undertake the Yatra in accordance with the prescribed procedures.

Reviewing disaster preparedness, the Director General of Police  directed all agencies to keep contingency plans and adequate resources ready to respond to weather-related emergencies, including evacuation, medical assistance, shelter and other essential services.

He also asked officers to ensure adequate security and assistance for both pilgrims and tourists across the Union Territory.

Emphasising public service, the DGP instructed officers to remain accessible and responsive and provide prompt assistance to pilgrims throughout the Yatra.

Senior officers of the police, Army, CAPFs, intelligence agencies, Traffic Police, Railway Police and other security organisations attended the meeting and reviewed the implementation of security measures, traffic management plans and standard operating procedures for the pilgrimage—(KNO).

4812 pilgrims leave Jammu for shrine

Jammu Tawi: Amid the chants of ‘Bam Bam Bhole’, the third batch of 4812 pilgrims on Saturday left for Shri Amarnath cave shrine here from Yatri Niwas base camp.

A batch of 4812 pilgrims this morning left for the Kashmir valley from the base camp to perform pilgrimage from twin tracks of Shri Amarnath Yatra.Jammu Kashmir Tourism

As per officials, 2041 pilgrims left for the Baltal while 2771 for the Pahalgam route to perform pilgrimage in a fleet of total 259 vehicles comprising buses and private vehicles in the form of a convoy.

The yatra convoy left early this morning under tight security arrangements.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday morning flagged off the first batch of pilgrims here from the base camp.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Friday issued an important advisory for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims, stating that advance registration is mandatory for undertaking the annual pilgrimage, as the daily number of pilgrims permitted on the route has been capped in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court.