Srinagar, June 4: With just weeks left for the commencement of the revered Shri Amarnath Yatra, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired the 49th high-level meeting of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) at Raj Bhawan, Srinagar. The session was convened to assess ground-level preparedness for the pilgrimage set to begin on July 3.

In his address, LG Sinha underlined the administration’s unwavering focus on the safety, comfort, and spiritual enrichment of pilgrims. “All agencies must work in close coordination to ensure a seamless and secure pilgrimage experience. Pilgrim safety remains our topmost priority,” he emphasized.

So far, more than 3.31 lakh devotees have registered for this year’s Yatra, reflecting growing enthusiasm for one of India’s most significant religious journeys.

Comprehensive Review of Infrastructure and Safety Plans

The meeting witnessed participation from prominent Shrine Board members including Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Kailash Mehra Sadhu, K.K. Sharma, K.N. Rai, Mukesh Garg, Shailesh Raina, Simridhi Bindroo, Suresh Haware, and Vishwamurti Shastri. Together, they reviewed detailed plans concerning:

• Medical preparedness along the route

• Telecom connectivity improvements in high-altitude areas

• Sanitation and waste management systems

• Disaster response strategies including weather monitoring

• Insurance coverage for pilgrims

• Digitized pre-paid systems for services like pony and porter hiring

The Board also reviewed timelines for completion of Yatri Niwas complexes, transit accommodations, Prasad counters, and facilitation centres at key locations.

Enhanced Technology for Pilgrim Monitoring

The deployment of RFID-based tracking cards and a robust registration and verification mechanism was a major point of discussion. These digital solutions aim to improve crowd management and real-time monitoring of pilgrim movement.

Route Details and Yatra Timeline

The 2025 Yatra will operate simultaneously from Pahalgam (traditional route) and Baltal (shorter route), starting on July 3 and culminating on August 9, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan.

A comprehensive presentation was delivered by SASB CEO Mandeep K. Bhandari, who outlined logistical strategies, current infrastructure status, and measures to deal with emergencies.

Officials from the UT administration, J&K Police, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and other central and local departments joined the meeting in both physical and virtual formats, ensuring an all-agency collaboration.