Prioritize safety, security & convenience of Yatris: Sinha

Reviews Yatra arrangements at Nunwan, Chandanwari

 Srinagar, July 5: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday conducted an extensive review of the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, visiting the Nunwan Base Camp and Chandanwari to assess security, pilgrim facilities, healthcare arrangements and overall management of the annual pilgrimage.

At Nunwan Base Camp, the Lieutenant Governor chaired a high-level meeting with civil, police and security officials to review key aspects including pilgrim movement, accommodation, registration, security measures and other logistical arrangements. He directed the authorities to prioritize the safety, security and convenience of all pilgrims while ensuring that devotees undertake the Yatra only with valid registration for designated dates to minimize waiting time.

The LG instructed officials to maintain close coordination, remain available on the ground and ensure prompt redressal of pilgrims’ grievances. Emphasizing a pilgrim-centric approach, he said every effort should be made to ensure that no devotee faces inconvenience. He also directed officials to facilitate families travelling together, wherever possible, in accordance with prescribed procedures.

Expressing concern over reports of fake registrations arranged by some travel agents, the Lieutenant Governor ordered the Police and concerned authorities to identify those involved and initiate strict legal action against them.

During his interaction with pilgrims, he assured them that the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board and all Yatra management departments are working tirelessly to ensure a safe, smooth and hassle-free spiritual journey.

Later, at Chandanwari, the Lieutenant Governor reviewed the ground situation and inspected pilgrim facilities, interacting with officials, volunteers, langar sevadars and devotees. He instructed Yatra management teams to regularly assess pilgrim feedback and remain available round the clock to address any issues.

“Through a seamless whole-of-government approach, we are leaving no stone unturned to provide excellent food, lodging and other essential facilities to devotees. I want every Yatri to have a blissful darshan and a spiritually enriching experience,” he said.

The LG also inspected the 100-bed Base Hospital at Chandanwari, reviewing healthcare arrangements and interacting with doctors, paramedics and patients. Officials informed him that adequate medicines, medical equipment and specialist staff have been deployed, with the hospital’s OPD handling around 2,500 patients daily.

Speaking to the media, the Lieutenant Governor noted a significant increase in pilgrim turnout this year and appealed to unregistered devotees to wait patiently for their allotted dates, emphasizing that daily pilgrim limits at both Pahalgam and Baltal routes are fixed to ensure safety and smooth conduct of the Yatra.

6,700 pilgrims leaves for Amarnath shrine

JAMMU: A fresh batch of over 6,700 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here early Sunday for the Amarnath shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas under tight security, officials said.

The batch including 1,310 women and 22 children, left the Jammu base camp in two separate convoys at 3 am and 3.40 am, the officials said.

This was the fourth batch of pilgrims leaving Jammu for Kashmir since July 2, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the yatra from Jammu.

With this, a total of 20,220 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the valley so far.

More than 26,000 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine during the first two days of the annual 57-day Amarnath Yatra, which commenced on July 3.

The pilgrimage is being conducted simultaneously via the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the shorter 14-km Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

The officials said the first convoy, carrying 2,590 pilgrims in 152 vehicles, left for the Baltal base camp, while the second convoy, comprising 4,131 pilgrims in 139 vehicles, proceeded to the Pahalgam base camp to undertake the pilgrimage.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday urged unregistered pilgrims planning to undertake the yatra to postpone their journey by a few days, saying all registration slots have been booked till July 9 due to an unprecedented influx of devotees.

Officials also announced that beginning Sunday, only registered pilgrims will be permitted to proceed towards Kashmir, while unregistered devotees will be stopped at the designated checkpoints until fresh registration quotas become available.

Amarnath pilgrims dies of snakebite

Jammu Tawi: A 42-year-old Amarnath pilgrim died after allegedly being bitten by a snake here on Sunday, officials said.

Amit Kumar, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, reportedly suffered a snakebite at Bhagwati Nagar base camp around 2.30 am and was immediately rushed to Government Medical College hospital for treatment, the officials said.

They said his condition deteriorated during the treatment and later breathed his last.

The body was shifted to the hospital for post-mortem and further legal formalities, the officials said.

They said authorities are taking necessary steps to ensure safety measures within the camp to prevent similar incidents.