Doppler weather forecasting, LED screens to enhance pilgrim safety during Amarnath Yatra: J&K CS reviews preparedness
With an expected surge in devotees, Dulloo underscored a sharper focus on technology-driven safety and crowd management.
In a significant decision taken at its 50th Board meeting here on Thursday, the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) gave its nod for a laser and sound show on ‘Baba Barfani’ to be hosted both in Srinagar and Jammu. The show will also serve as a cultural beacon, highlighting the rich spiritual history of the Union Territory.
The Board also announced that the Pratham Pooja for the 2026 Amarnath pilgrimage will be performed on 29 June on the occasion of Jyeshtha Purnimaa. The formal commencement date for the annual Yatra will be finalised soon.
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The meeting was chaired by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of SASB.
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The Board approved various key measures and interventions to further enhance the spiritual experience and convenience of devotees for the upcoming 2026 Yatra.
Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board decided to enhance the accidental insurance cover for registered pilgrims, service providers, officials, seasonal workers, and pujaris from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
The Board also discussed and approved various welfare measures for SASB employees.
The Lieutenant Governor directed the officials to identify spots for the installation of suitable toilet facilities en route to the yatra.
He further directed the installation of shelter sheds and rain shelters on tracks for pilgrims, service providers, and security personnel.
The meeting also discussed ongoing projects, dissemination of Yatra-related information, insurance cover for ponies; extension of online and prepaid services, registration of pilgrims, disaster preparedness and mitigation measures, adequate provisioning of medical care facilities, langar and volunteer services, telecommunication, grid connectivity, weather forecasting infrastructure & systems, security and surveillance, the digital prepaid system for hiring services, laying of crash barriers and safety railings along vulnerable stretches on both routes, and the progress achieved on various ongoing works undertaken by different departments.
Reviewing the maintenance, restoration, and development of Yatra tracks by the Border Roads Organisation, the Board was informed that the BRO has registered significant progress, achieving comfortable track width on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, SASB, gave a detailed presentation regarding the arrangements for the upcoming Yatra.
The meeting was attended by Members of the Shrine Board- Swami Avdheshanand Giri, Prof Kailash Mehra Sadhu, K K Sharma, K N Rai, Mukesh Garg, Dr Shailesh Raina, Dr Simridhi Bindroo, Suresh Haware and Prof Vishwamurti Shastri.
Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department; Nalin Prabhat, DGP, and Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary, Home, were among the officers who attended the meeting.
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