Onlykashmir.in News Desk
In its 50th Board meeting, the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board approved the installation of a Laser and Sound Show dedicated to Baba Barfani, to be hosted in Srinagar and Jammu as a cultural and spiritual showcase of the Union Territory’s heritage.
The meeting was chaired by Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, Chairman of the Shrine Board. The Board announced that the Pratham Pooja for the 2026 Yatra will be performed on June 29, 2026, on the occasion of Jyeshtha Purnimaa. The formal commencement of the pilgrimage will be notified separately.
A major decision included enhancement of accidental insurance cover from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for registered yatris, service providers, officials, seasonal workers and pujaris. Welfare measures for Shrine Board employees were also approved.
To improve pilgrim facilities, the Lieutenant Governor directed identification of sites for adequate toilet infrastructure along the routes and installation of shelter sheds and rain covers for pilgrims, service providers and security personnel.
The Board reviewed progress on infrastructure and safety initiatives including insurance for ponies, expansion of online and pre paid services, streamlined pilgrim registration, disaster preparedness, medical facilities, langar and volunteer coordination, telecommunication and grid connectivity, weather forecasting systems, surveillance mechanisms, and digital pre paid hiring services. Installation of crash barriers and safety railings along vulnerable stretches on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes was also assessed.
The Border Roads Organization reported substantial progress in maintenance and widening of Yatra tracks, achieving improved track width on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, presented a detailed overview of arrangements for the upcoming Yatra.
The meeting was attended by Board members Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Prof. Kailash Mehra Sadhu, Shri K. K. Sharma, Shri K. N. Rai, Shri Mukesh Garg, Dr Shailesh Raina, Dr Simridhi Bindroo, Shri Suresh Haware and Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri.
