Yogesh
Jammu, Jul 1: The annual Amarnath Yatra is all set to commence on Wednesday, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), scheduled to flag off the first batch of pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu to Srinagar.
The 38-day pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath, situated at 3,880 meters in the south Kashmir Himalayas, will begin from Kashmir on July 3 and conclude on August 9, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.
A top official said that Lieutenant Governor will flag off the first convoy of pilgrims at 4:00 am on July 2 for the Baltal route, followed by another convoy at 4:30 am for the traditional 48-km Nunwan-Pahalgam route in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Senior ministers, some BJP MLAs, prominent citizens, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, and other senior officials will also attend the flagging of ceremony, the official added.
The pilgrims will be escorted by a robust security convoy along the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) to ensure their safety.
Pertinently, Lt Governor has personally overseen preparations, conducted multiple inspections of the Nunwan, Chandanwari, and Baltal base camps over the past week.
He inaugurated a state-of-the-art Yatri Niwas at Pantha Chowk, Srinagar, capable of accommodating 1,300 pilgrims, built through generous donations.
Enhanced security measures
In response to heightened security concerns, comprehensive measures have been implemented to ensure a safe pilgrimage. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, in collaboration with the Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), have established a multi-tier security framework.
Jammu Police have set up joint checkpoints (nakas) across strategic locations in the city and along the NH-44, conducting daily anti-sabotage checks. A facial recognition system (FRS) has been installed along the Pahalgam route to detect potential threats in real-time.
The CRPF has deployed drone defense systems and K-9 squads to enhance surveillance, particularly in vulnerable stretches like Udhampur and Ramban districts.
BSF personnel, armed and vigilant, are maintaining a high alert along the 200-km International Border (IB) from Akhnoor to Kathua, supported by a three-tier security system involving the BSF, Army, and local police.
Mandatory RFID tracking for all pilgrims ensures real-time monitoring, enhancing safety during the journey.
Joint mock drills, including landslide preparedness exercises, were conducted by security forces in Udhampur and Pahalgam to ensure operational readiness.
The administration has urged pilgrims, including those traveling in private vehicles, to strictly adhere to convoy travel for safety. Notably, helicopter services will not be available this year due to security and logistical constraints.
To facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrim convoys and minimize inconvenience to the public, the Traffic Police have implemented a comprehensive traffic management plan from July 2 to August 9, 2025.
Certain routes in Jammu city and along the highway will be temporarily closed or diverted to prioritize pilgrim convoys. The public is requested to cooperate and follow traffic advisories.
Yatris get warm welcome in Jammu
Meanwhile, Sadhus have arrived in Jammu. A special registration camp for Sadhus has been established at the Purani Mandi-based Ram temple complex, while on-the-spot registration centers for other pilgrims are operational at Shalimar and Saraswati Dham in Jammu.
Yatris arriving in Jammu received a warm welcome at Lakhanpur in Kathua district. This year, authorities have taken a more cautious approach. Helicopter services have been temporarily suspended on both routes, a decision taken purely on security grounds.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has carried out multiple inspections personally, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is currently supervising preparations directly. On his instructions, senior ministers and departmental heads are making regular site visits.
The Army Chief has also assessed the security posture on the ground. Officials say after Pahalgam terror attack, there is no room for complacency. Extra personnel, checkpoints, and surveillance measures have been added.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Department has conducted mock drills in vulnerable zones.
A simulation exercise in Pahalgam demonstrated how teams would respond to glacier lake outburst floods and other hazards common to the region during the monsoon.
Officials said that no National Highway closures are in place, ensuring essential services and emergency logistics can continue. However, the public has been advised to avoid unnecessary travel in the vicinity of Yatra routes.
