Jammu, Jun 30 (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday said elaborate security and logistical arrangements have been put in place for the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra and urged pilgrims to strictly adhere to the prescribed cut-off timings and guidelines to ensure a smooth pilgrimage.
Addressing a press conference after interacting with civil society members, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar said comprehensive arrangements have been made across the five districts of Jammu division falling on the yatra route, including facilities for on-the-spot registration, RFID cards, e-KYC, accommodation, medical aid, sanitation, power, water supply and security.
He said pilgrims entering Jammu and Kashmir through Lakhanpur will be allowed between 6 am and 8 pm and those arriving after the cut-off time will be accommodated overnight at government facilities before proceeding in escorted convoys.
Kumar said pilgrims who have registered online can collect RFID cards from designated centres at Lakhanpur, Chichi Mata Temple, Samba, Jammu Railway Station, Tawi Riverfront and Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas after completing the mandatory e-KYC process.
He said yatris travelling in private vehicles must follow the traffic department’s cut-off timings to ensure they enter the Kashmir Valley during daylight hours.
The Divisional Commissioner said on-the-spot registration for the yatra will begin on Wednesday at the Tawi Riverfront in Jammu, while separate registration centres have been established for the general public and sadhus.
He said accommodation has been arranged for around 55,000 pilgrims across Jammu division through government facilities and temporary shelters, with adequate arrangements for food, drinking water, medical services, sanitation and security. Around 2,100 toilets have also been installed at accommodation centres, transit camps and along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Kumar said the Tourism Department has introduced air-conditioned buses for sightseeing tours to destinations including Suchetgarh Border, Gharana Wetland, Akhnoor Fort, Bahu Fort and Mahamaya Temple, while the Transport Department has notified fixed fares for taxis, auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws to prevent overcharging.
Inspector General of Police, Jammu, Bhim Sen Tuti said elaborate security arrangements have been put in place along the 260-km yatra route, including transit camps and langar sites.
He advised pilgrims to travel only through National Highway-44, avoid alternative routes such as Mughal Road and Dhar Road, ensure their vehicles have sufficient fuel before joining convoys and refrain from drunken driving.
The IGP also cautioned pilgrims against fake registration websites and unauthorised WhatsApp groups, asking them to use only the official Shri Amarnath Shrine Board platform for registration and related services.
Earlier, Kumar and Tuti held an interaction with representatives of civil society, religious organisations, traders, transporters, hoteliers and other stakeholders, who offered suggestions for ensuring a safe and hassle-free pilgrimage.(NVI)
