Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed concerns regarding the noticeable decline in registrations for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra during a press conference held at Rajbhawan Srinagar on Thursday. Following an incident in Pahalgam on April 22, registrations dipped, but Sinha expressed optimism that numbers would steadily increase in the coming days.
“Before the unfortunate incident, we had 2.36 lakh devotees signed up for the Yatra. While we experienced a brief dip, we have now crossed the fresh 85,000 mark post attack, and I am confident that this number will continue to grow,” Sinha said.
Last year saw over 5.12 lakh pilgrims participate in the pilgrimage, marking the highest turnout in over a decade. However, this year’s Yatra has recorded a 10.19% decrease in turnout thus far. The administration remains hopeful that enhanced facilities and the unwavering faith of pilgrims will attract more yatris as the pilgrimage comes closer.
In light of safety concerns stemming from past accidents, Sinha confirmed that helicopter services would not be available this year. “Our priority is to ensure every pilgrim’s safety. Only around 8% of previous years’ pilgrims used chopper services, so we do not anticipate a significant impact,” he said.
To improve safety and accessibility, both the Baltal and Chandanwari-Pahalgam tracks have been widened to 12 feet, with vulnerable zones secured by cross-barriers. “People are already appreciating these improvements, which will help mitigate challenges posed by weather conditions,” Sinha said.
The administration has also established two permanent 100-bed hospitals at Baltal and Nunwan, alongside additional medical teams to enhance medical readiness for this year’s Yatra. Despite some weather-related delays, most permanent accommodations at both camps are expected to be completed during the pilgrimage period.
Reinforcing security measures, an RFID-based tracking system has been implemented for all pilgrims and service staff, ensuring comprehensive monitoring through a modern command-and-control system equipped with high-definition surveillance cameras. The security apparatus has been bolstered through a three-tier deployment model involving JK Police, Army, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
Sinha urged all pilgrims traveling in private vehicles to join security convoys from Jammu to the base camps to ensure their safety. He also praised the hospitality of local Kashmiris, emphasizing the unmatched care and affection that yatris receive from the majority community.
The 2025 Amarnath Yatra is set to run for 44 days and will conclude on Shravan Purnima, which falls on August 15. With meticulous planning and unwavering support from local communities and authorities, the administration and Amarnath Shrine Board is all set for the pilgrimage.
