Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday appealed to all intending pilgrims to undertake the Amarnath Yatra only after obtaining a valid registration permit for their allotted date. Only registered yatris will be permitted to proceed to the holy cave shrine on their designated date, he added. The appeal comes in the wake of an unusual rush of pilgrims arriving in J-K without valid registration.
The 57-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine began on July 3 simultaneously via the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in the Anantnag district and the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in the Ganderbal district. The yatra will conclude on August 28. In the first two days, over 26,000 pilgrims have undertaken the yatra. The LG chaired a high-level review meeting here to assess the overall management and ground situation of the ongoing annual Amarnath Yatra that began on Friday.
“Reviewed the overall management and the ground situation of the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 at a high-level meeting today. I appeal to all intending pilgrims to undertake the Yatra only after obtaining a valid Yatra Registration Permit for their allotted date,” the LG sad on X. He said only registered pilgrims for their designated date will be permitted to proceed to the holy cave shrine. An official spokesman said the LG reviewed the movement of pilgrims, traffic management, security arrangements, accommodation, registration status, and other logistical aspects to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the yatra, an official spokesperson said.
During the meeting, it was observed that an unusually large number of pilgrims have been arriving without valid registration, which is causing long waiting time for pilgrims to conduct yatra, he said. The spokesperson added that the LG emphasised that the yatra is being conducted in accordance with the prescribed ceiling of pilgrim movement on the pilgrimage routes, in pursuance of the Supreme Court’s orders.
Therefore, adherence to the registration schedule is imperative for ensuring the safety, security, and convenience of all pilgrims. It was reiterated that only pilgrims possessing valid registration for the designated date shall be permitted to proceed on the tracks leading to the holy cave shrine, the spokesperson said.
Sinha appealed to the intending unregistered pilgrims to defer their travel for next few days in order to avoid any inconvenience upon reaching Jammu and Kashmir, he said. The spokesperson said the administration has, therefore, asked all intending pilgrims to complete the mandatory registration process and obtain a valid yatra registration permit for their allotted date before commencing their journey to J-K.
Pilgrims are requested not to travel without confirmed registration, as they will not be permitted to proceed on the yatra, he added. LG Sinha also reviewed the security and logistic arrangements for the yatra. He directed all departments and security agencies to keep working in close coordination and to maintain continuous liaison with all stakeholders, including langar organisations, service providers and other NGOs for a safe, seamless, spiritually enriching and fulfilling yatra.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference here, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Anshul Garg, said that for the past few days, many visitors and yatris have reached J-K without registration and because of that were facing some inconvenience. Garg said the yatra was going on smoothly and in the first two days, 26,000 yatris have had darshan of the naturally formed ice-lingam in the south Kashmir Himalayas.
The divisional commissioner, however, said only registered pilgrims will be given the mandatory RFID cards and allowed to proceed for the yatra. “Tatkal quota is limited and only a few pilgrims are allowed on that quota. Those yatris who have reached without registration need to wait for a few days as RFID card facility cannot be provided to them and so proceeding on yatra will not be allowed as of now. Only registered yatris will be allowed,” Garg, flanked by inspector general of police, Kashmir, V K Birdi, said.
He also said many pilgrims have reached J-K well before their registered date for undertaking the yatra. “We appeal to them that they should undertake the yatra only on their registered date so that no one faces any inconvenience,” he said, adding the endeavour of the administration is to allow all the pilgrims for the yatra but they have to wait for their turn, and do online registration beforehand so that they do not face any inconvenience.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Nalin Prabhat on Saturday directed the security forces to maintain the highest level of operational preparedness, enhance surveillance and keep a close watch on inimical elements across the Union territory to prevent any attempt to disrupt peace during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. DGP Prabhat chaired a review meeting at the police control room here to assess the security and logistical arrangements for the annual Yatra that commenced on July 3. The meeting was attended by officers of J-K Police, Army, CAPFs, Traffic Police, Railway Police, intelligence wings and other agencies, including the Army’s GOC 15 Corps.
The officers presented a comprehensive review of the security arrangements, traffic management plan and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure the safe, secure and smooth conduct of the Yatra. Directing all agencies to maintain the highest level of operational preparedness, Prabhat emphasised seamless inter-agency coordination and intensified area domination and night domination exercises, particularly along the national highway, critical road corridors and Yatra routes.
The DGP also directed field formations to enhance surveillance and maintain a close watch on inimical elements across Jammu and Kashmir to prevent any attempt to disrupt peace. The police chief instructed the officers to ensure strict verification of identity credentials and effective utilisation of the RFID-based tracking system for real-time monitoring of registered yatris.
He also directed that issues relating to unregistered yatris be handled proactively and humanely in close coordination with the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, while ensuring that only duly registered pilgrims are permitted to undertake the Yatra in accordance with the prescribed protocols. Reviewing disaster preparedness, the DGP directed all agencies to keep contingency plans and adequate resources ready to effectively respond to any weather-related disruptions by ensuring timely evacuation, shelter, medical assistance and other essential support.
He also emphasised robust security and seamless assistance for both tourists and pilgrims across the UT. Stressing the importance of professionalism and public service, Prabhat directed all the officers to remain accessible, responsive and people-friendly, ensuring prompt assistance to every pilgrim whenever required.
Reiterating the commitment of the J-K Police and all sister agencies, the DGP expressed confidence that through coordinated efforts, vigilance and effective synergy among all stakeholders, the Yatra will continue to be conducted safely, peacefully and successfully.
Meanwhile, 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.
