On Wednesday (5th March), Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired the 48th Board meeting of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) at Raj Bhawan. This year, the Amarnath Yatra will start on the 3rd July from both – the Pahalgam track in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district. It will culminate on Raksha Bandhan on 9th August, 2025.
To improve the facilities and services for the devotees, the Board proposed a slew of measures and interventions. Anticipating a surge in the inflow of devotees for this year’s Amarnath Yatra, the board discussed measures to increase lodging capacity at centres in Jammu, Srinagar and other locations.
It also discussed operationalization of Yatri facilitation centres for e-KYC as well as issuance of RFID cards and on-spot registration of pilgrims at multiple locations including Nowgam and Katra Railway Stations.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired the 48th Board meeting of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) at Raj Bhawan, today. This year, Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra will commence on 3rd July, simultaneously from both the routes – the Pahalgam track in Anantnag… pic.twitter.com/vJmgkcNzSU
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2025
The board also discussed that key facilities must be increased at Baltal, Pahalgam, Nunwan, Pantha Chowk Srinagar, keeping in mind the increased inflow of devotees.
LG Sinha also reviewed the progress of various ongoing development works undertaken by the line departments. He emphasised that adequate arrangements and requisite amenities should be ensured at multiple locations falling all throughout the Amarnath Yatra.
The Lieutenant Governor further directed authorities to increase capacity at Yatri Niwas, Pantha Chowk, Srinagar.
They also discussed ways to disseminate Amarnath Yatra related information, insurance cover to yatris, service providers, ponies and extension of online services by the Shrine Board.
Issues like widening and maintenance of Yatra Tracks and measures to decongest areas around Holy Cave and Lower Holy Cave area as well as disaster preparedness and mitigation measures were also discussed.
The Shrine Board members and the LG administration also held discussions for adequate provisioning of Heli services, medical care facilities, security and surveillance and Digital Pre-paid system for hiring services as well as Weather Forecasting Infrastructure and Systems.
During the meeting with Shrine Board members, LG Sinha also felicitated Board Members to express gratitude for their valuable contribution in the successful conduct of the yatra.
During the 48th meeting of the Shrine Board, Chief Executive Officer of the Shri AmarnathJi Shrine Board Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari gave a detailed presentation regarding the arrangements for the Yatra.
