Lt Governor reviews Amarnath Yatra arrangements

Srinagar, Jul 4: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting to review the overall management and ground situation of the ongoing Amarnath Yatra 2026.
The Lieutenant Governor directed all departments to ensure seamless coordination for the safe and smooth conduct of the annual pilgrimage.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, senior officers of the Civil Administration, Police, Security Forces, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Intelligence Bureau, Home Department and other concerned agencies.
The Lieutenant Governor reviewed pilgrim movement, traffic management, security arrangements, accommodation, registration status and other logistical aspects of the Yatra.
During the meeting, it was observed that an unusually large number of pilgrims have been arriving without valid registration, resulting in long waiting times and operational challenges.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed that the Yatra is being conducted in accordance with the prescribed ceiling on pilgrim movement along the Yatra tracks, as mandated by the Supreme Court, and said strict adherence to the registration schedule is essential to ensure the safety, security and convenience of all pilgrims.
He reiterated that only pilgrims possessing valid registration for their designated date will be allowed to proceed on the tracks leading to the Holy Cave Shrine.
Appealing to intending pilgrims who have not yet registered, the Lieutenant Governor advised them to defer their travel for the next few days to avoid inconvenience upon reaching Jammu and Kashmir.
Reviewing the security and logistical arrangements, the Lieutenant Governor directed all departments and security agencies to work in close coordination and maintain continuous liaison with Langar organisations, service providers and other stakeholders to ensure a safe, smooth and spiritually
Meanwhile, the administration has urged all intending pilgrims to complete the mandatory registration process and obtain a valid Yatra Registration Permit for their allotted date before commencing their journey. Pilgrims travelling without confirmed registration will not be permitted to undertake the Yatra.
Meanwhile, the annual Amarnath Yatra has witnessed a strong start this year, with 32,313 devotees paying obeisance at the holy cave shrine during the first two days of the pilgrimage, a surge in pilgrim turnout.
According to official data, 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.
Officials said that the pilgrims travelled in a convoy of 259 vehicles, including 95 buses, 47 medium motor vehicles (MMVs), 116 light motor vehicles (LMVs) and one two-wheeler.
Of the total pilgrims, 2,041 proceeded towards the Baltal base camp, while 2,771 headed for the traditional Pahalgam route.
The batch included 3,434 male pilgrims, 966 female pilgrims, 11 children, 244 sadhus and 157 sadhvis.
Officials said the Baltal-bound convoy left Bhagwati Nagar at 3:00 am, followed by the Pahalgam-bound convoy at 3:24 am, both under multi-layered security cover.
The 57-day Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 3, is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. (KNO)