Srinagar: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg said the administration has made comprehensive arrangements for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, with a strong focus on weather monitoring, pilgrim safety and improved registration facilities, as more than four lakh devotees have already registered online for this year’s pilgrimage.
Speaking to reporters after reviewing arrangements in place for Amarnath Yatra at Nowgam Railway Station, Garg said weather remains a natural challenge during the annual yatra, and the administration has made preparations similar to previous years while further strengthening facilities.
He said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is issuing weather advisories every three hours, which are being displayed on digital boards at both Baltal and Nunwan base camps so that pilgrims can plan their journey accordingly.
The Divisional Commissioner said rain shelters have also been established along both pilgrimage routes to allow yatris to halt safely in case of rain. Mountain rescue teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other paramilitary forces have been deployed at different locations along the tracks, with their responsibilities and operational areas clearly defined.
“Our effort is to ensure that weather-related information reaches every pilgrim in time and that rescue teams are able to respond immediately in case of any weather-related incident,” he said.
On the expected turnout, Divisional Commissioner said around four lakh pilgrims have already registered online, a figure higher than last year’s registrations. He noted that the yatra will be held over 57 days, from July 3 to August 28, which is expected to result in a higher overall footfall.
Referring to the increasing number of pilgrims arriving in Jammu, he said the administration has expanded registration and verification facilities by adding Nowgam Railway Station for e-KYC and ID verification. Similar facilities have also been established at Srinagar Airport, Pantha Chowk and both base camps.
Addressing security arrangements, he said the convoy system from Jammu will continue this year and movement of pilgrims will be monitored under a dedicated security corridor.
He added that keeping in view requests from tourists and civil society, on-the-spot registration counters have also been established at Pantha Chowk and the base camps. However, such registrations will be permitted only subject to the availability of quota and the carrying capacity of the two pilgrimage routes, as many pilgrims have already secured online registrations for specific dates.
