Jammu, April 29
Authorities in Jammu on Tuesday reviewed preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra and fixed June 10 as the deadline to complete all infrastructure and logistical arrangements. The 57-day pilgrimage will begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28, with routes through Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district.
The review was conducted at a high-level meeting attended by senior civil and police officials, who assessed the readiness of facilities to accommodate the large number of pilgrims expected to arrive. Key focus areas included strengthening arrangements at the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu, which serves as the primary transit point for Yatra convoys.
Officials discussed establishing registration counters and RFID centres at multiple locations, including Lakhanpur and Bhagwati Nagar, to streamline pilgrim movement. To reduce congestion near the Jammu railway station, token centres for on-the-spot and Tatkal registration will be set up along the Tawi riverfront.
The administration directed that all essential facilities at the base camp be made fully operational before the deadline. These include accommodation, sanitation, drinking water supply, power and lighting, cloakrooms, and designated spaces for langars and bus ticket booking. Authorities also emphasised the need for proper arrangements at the lodgement centres across Kathua, Samba, Udhampur and Ramban districts.
Additional measures include setting up convenience stores, providing prepaid SIM cards, and installing temporary German hangars to accommodate pilgrims. Departments have been asked to ensure an uninterrupted power supply with backup systems, while road infrastructure within and around the camp will be upgraded. Fire safety audits will also be conducted to minimise risks.
Security preparedness was reviewed in detail, with officials stressing proper lighting at all lodgement centres and adherence to designated movement timings for Yatra convoys. CCTV surveillance will be installed to enhance monitoring.
To improve coordination during the pilgrimage, all departments have been instructed to appoint nodal officers who will operate from a central control room at Bhagwati Nagar.
With a firm deadline in place, the administration has accelerated efforts to ensure that infrastructure, security, and essential services are in place ahead of the Yatra, aiming to facilitate a safe and smooth pilgrimage for devotees.
