Associated News Bureau

LG Reviews Shri Amarnath Yatra Arrangements, Stresses Safe, Seamless Pilgrimage as Darshan Crosses 1.13 Lakh

Srinagar, July 7: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, directing senior officials to ensure proper registration of pilgrims and seamless on-ground assistance while reaffirming that safety, security and hassle-free darshan remain the administration's highest priorities. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department, Ashwani Kumar, Principal Secretary, Home Department, Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor and CEO of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, along with other senior officials. Officials informed the meeting that more than 1.13 lakh pilgrims have so far performed darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine. Reviewing the arrangements, the Lieutenant Governor instructed officers to ensure that all devotees are properly registered and receive timely assistance throughout the pilgrimage. "Our goal is to make this pilgrimage a truly memorable experience by providing devotees with the best possible amenities. Safety, security and hassle-free darshan of Baba Barfani must remain our top priority," the Lieutenant Governor said. Describing the annual pilgrimage as a symbol of India's rich civilisational heritage, the Lieutenant Governor said the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra reflects the country's enduring spiritual traditions and remains an integral part of the nation's identity. He emphasized that ensuring its smooth, safe and successful conduct is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders. Calling for close coordination among all departments and agencies, the Lieutenant Governor urged stakeholders to work together to make this year's Yatra historic and establish a benchmark for spiritual tourism across the country. "Such a collective effort can create a model that inspires similar pilgrimages nationwide," he said. The Lieutenant Governor also appealed to devotees to experience not only the spiritual significance of the pilgrimage but also the hospitality, culture and traditional arts and crafts of Jammu and Kashmir. He said promoting and supporting local products would help transform the pilgrimage into a celebration of the region's economy, cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship alongside its spiritual importance. During the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor also reviewed the functioning of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board's 24x7 Control Room at Lok Bhavan and assessed arrangements along both Yatra routes, including security deployment, langar services, queue management systems at key transit points and the Holy Cave Shrine.