About 60,000 pilgrims have so far registered themselves for the annual Amarnath Yatra that will begin on 28 June in the South Kashmir and conclude on 26 August.

Most of the pilgrims registered so far are from Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Gujarat.

Governor  NN Vohra, Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), on Wednesday reviewed arrangements for the forthcoming Yatra.

Advance registration of pilgrims commenced on 1 March through 440 bank branches of Punjab National Bank (PNB), Jammu and Kashmir Bank and YES Bank spread across 32 states and UTs all over the country.

In addition, the registration facility has been provided to ex-India pilgrims through PNB and for Groups through the Shrine Board.  The Governor directed shrine board CEO Umang Narula to obtain the daily reports of registration and promptly address the issues of intending yatris with regard to registration by effectively co-ordinating with the banks.

THe Governor directed that the preservation of ecology and environment should be accorded highest priority and all the necessary arrangements be put in place well before the commencement of the yatra.

To facilitate the intending yatris in obtaining the Compulsory Health Certificate from the authorised doctors and institutions, the list of such doctors has been uploaded on the official website of the Shrine Board. A help-desk (Telephone Number 0191-2555662, 2503399) has been established in the office of the Shrine Board to attend to the queries of the yatris which operates between9:30am to 8:30pm.

The Governor was given a detailed briefing about the arrangements being made in the yatra route from Pahalgam as well as Baltal sides. These include facilities to be put in place for supplying power, water supply through permanently laid water pipes and medical facilities.

The CEO informed the Governor that Chief Secretary BB Vyas had recently chaired the meeting of the high-level committee to review the implementation of various key projects and arrangements being planned for smooth conduct of the yatra.

Stressing the need for timely clearance of snow-bound tracks and camps in the yatra area, the Governor directed CEO to closely monitor restoration and improvement works which are being executed by various government agencies.

While emphasising on the sanitation arrangements during the yatra, Governor was informed about the steps being taken by the Shrine Board in co-ordinating with the administrations of Anantnag and Ganderbal districts, Pahalgam and Sonamarg Development Authority and Municipal Committee of Pahalgam for the proper collection and disposal of solid waste which would be generated during the Yatra.