Admin steps up Amarnath Yatra preparations, security drills intensified

Srinagar, Jun 18: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has intensified preparations for annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) beginning July 3, 2026, with civil administration, security agencies and shrine board officials undertaking a series of measures to ensure smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and effective management of the expected influx of devotees.
Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir Anshul Garg on Thursday said all departments were working in coordination to provide necessary facilities and services to pilgrims along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
“There is a well-established system in place for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. Like every year, the pilgrimage will commence on July 3, and all departments are working to provide services in a timely manner,” Garg told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Srinagar.
The Div Com said that preparations at the Baltal and Nunwan base camps were being regularly reviewed and that district administrations were coordinating with service providers to ensure seamless arrangements for pilgrims.
He said Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), has been continuously reviewing preparations related to pilgrim facilitation and security.
“Meetings are being held with service providers by the district administrations as well as at the divisional level. Our effort is to ensure that a maximum number of pilgrims undertake the yatra this year and receive the best possible services,” he said.
Garg said all stakeholder departments, service providers and local residents were prepared to contribute towards the successful conduct of the pilgrimage.
As part of preparations, the Jammu administration has developed the Tawi Riverfront as a major on-the-spot registration and token centre for pilgrims.
Officials said the facility would help streamline registration procedures, improve crowd management and facilitate orderly movement of devotees. Similar registration and facilitation centres have also been established across Jammu city.
Preparations are also underway at the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board’s Yatri Niwas in Chanderkote in Ramban district, where authorities are strengthening infrastructure and facilities to accommodate pilgrims during the yatra.
Security agencies have simultaneously stepped up preparedness along the pilgrimage routes.
In Pulwama district, police, in coordination with the CRPF and other agencies, conducted comprehensive mock drills at multiple locations to assess operational readiness and strengthen security arrangements ahead of the pilgrimage.
The exercises were carried out along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway stretch from Galander to Kandizal Crossing, as well as at Kakapora Railway Station and Ratnipora Railway Halt Station. Personnel from police, CRPF, specialised units, emergency response teams and medical services participated in the drills.
Officials said the exercises tested inter-agency coordination, communication systems, response mechanisms, area domination measures and contingency preparedness through simulated security and emergencies.
Meanwhile, security personnel intensified search and sanitisation operations at railway stations and other strategic locations. In south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, police conducted extensive frisking and vehicle checks near the Navyug Tunnel in Qazigund, along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Responding to a question on Muharram arrangements, the Divisional Commissioner said the administration had also initiated preparations for the observance and was coordinating with all stakeholders to ensure smooth conduct of processions.
He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had already reviewed the arrangements and directed officials to ensure availability of all essential services along approved procession routes.
“For the past few years, a system has been in place for Muharram processions. District administrations, in coordination with security agencies, are making arrangements at all approved routes,” he said.
Garg added that field visits were underway and officials were preparing a final checklist of services in accordance with the chief minister’s directions.
“Our effort is to ensure that Muharram processions are held smoothly during the tourist season so that there is no inconvenience either to participants or to tourists visiting Kashmir,” he said.
Earlier, Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat on Thursday flagged off 45 specialised Mountain Rescue Teams deployed at 21 locations along the Amarnath Yatra routes and the cave shrine to strengthen emergency response during the pilgrimage.
Stressing the growing threat of cloudbursts and landslides in mountainous areas, he said the teams would play a crucial role in rescue operations.
Prabhat also highlighted the importance of training and lauded coordinated efforts by SDRF, police, BSF and SSB personnel.
The 38-day annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir is scheduled to commence on July 3 amid heightened security and elaborate logistical arrangements across Jammu and Kashmir. (KNO)