Amarnath pilgrims directed to use Jammu-Srinagar National Highway only

Amid heightened security arrangements, Amarnath-bound pilgrims have been directed to travel only on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. As per the advisory of the UT administration, movement of pilgrims on alternative routes, including the Mughal Road and Dhar Road, will not be permitted for Yatra traffic due to security considerations.

As the first batch of devotees is scheduled to be flagged off from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp on July 2, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday said that elaborate arrangements, including enhanced security and accommodation for around 55,000 pilgrims, have been put in place for this year’s annual Amarnath Yatra.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), will flag off the first convoy at 4 am on July 2.

Separate escorted convoys will proceed to the twin base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal, from where pilgrims will begin their trek to the holy cave shrine on July 3.

As of now, arrangements have been made to accommodate around 55,000 pilgrims across the Jammu division. Comprehensive arrangements have been made for all pilgrims arriving in the Jammu division, including facilities for accommodation, food and sanitation, so that no pilgrim faces any inconvenience,” Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar told reporters.

“The Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is an annual event. Every year, extensive security arrangements are made for the pilgrimage, and this year we are making efforts to provide an even stronger security cover than before,” Inspector General of Police, Jammu range, Bhim Sen Tuti said during a press briefing in Jammu on Tuesday.

He said pilgrims reaching Lakhanpur between 6 am and 8 am would be escorted to Jammu under security cover, while those arriving after 8 am would have to halt there due to security restrictions.

“Pilgrims have been directed to travel only on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. Movement on alternative routes, including the Mughal Road and Dhar Road, will not be permitted for Yatra traffic in view of security considerations,” he said.

The IGP said mini-convoys would also operate between Udhampur and Banihal under a fixed schedule. “Pilgrims have been advised to adhere to the cut-off timings notified by the traffic department, which may revise the schedule depending on weather or road conditions,” he said.

On-the-spot registration for pilgrims will commence on Wednesday at the Tawi River Front in Jammu, where the registration centre has been shifted to minimise inconvenience to city residents. Tokens have already been distributed, and registration will be carried out according to the daily quota fixed by the Shrine Board, Kumar said.

Mandatory RFID cards for security and tracking will be issued at designated centres, including Jammu Railway Station, Bhagwati Nagar, Tawi River Front, Udhampur Railway Station, Chanderkote, Banihal, Lakhanpur and Samba. Pilgrims who have completed online registration and e-KYC verification have been advised to collect their RFID cards before proceeding to the base camp.

“Separate registration facilities have been established for sadhus at Geeta Bhawan and Purani Mandi temple, while general pilgrims will be registered at the Tawi River Front and Mahajan Sabha,” Kumar said.

The district commissioner appealed to pilgrims to strictly follow the Shrine Board guidelines and carry mandatory health certificates. Elderly pilgrims and those suffering from cardiac or respiratory ailments have been advised to undertake the pilgrimage only after obtaining proper medical clearance.