JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired the 50th meeting of the Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), during which several key decisions were taken to enhance pilgrim facilities and the overall spiritual experience for the Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026.
The Board approved the setting up of a Laser and Sound Show dedicated to Baba Barfani, to be hosted in both Srinagar and Jammu. The initiative will serve as a cultural and spiritual attraction, showcasing the rich spiritual heritage of the Union Territory.
It was announced that the Pratham Pooja for the Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 will be performed on June 29, 2026, on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Purnimaa. The formal commencement date of the Yatra will be finalized shortly.
During the meeting, the Board approved a significant enhancement of the accidental insurance cover for registered yatris, service providers, officials, seasonal workers and pujaris, increasing the coverage amount from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
The Board also approved various welfare measures for SASB employees.
The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to identify suitable locations for installation of toilet facilities along the Yatra routes. He further instructed the installation of shelter sheds and rain shelters on the tracks to provide relief to pilgrims, service providers and security personnel.
The meeting reviewed several critical aspects of Yatra preparedness, including dissemination of Yatra-related information, insurance cover for ponies, extension of online and pre-paid services, registration of pilgrims, disaster preparedness and mitigation measures, medical care facilities, langar and volunteer services, telecommunication and power connectivity, weather forecasting infrastructure, security and surveillance arrangements, digital pre-paid hiring systems, installation of crash barriers and safety railings along vulnerable stretches, and the progress of ongoing works by various departments.
Reviewing the maintenance and development of Yatra tracks by the Border Roads Organization (BRO), the Board was informed that significant progress has been achieved, with comfortable track width now available on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, SASB, gave a detailed presentation on the preparations and arrangements for the upcoming Yatra.
The meeting was attended by Board Members including Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Prof. Kailash Mehra Sadhu, K.K. Sharma, K.N. Rai, Mukesh Garg, Dr. Shailesh Raina, Dr. Simridhi Bindroo, Suresh Haware and Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri.
Senior officials present included Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Additional Chief Secretaries Shaleen Kabra and Shailendra Kumar; DGP Nalin Prabhat; Principal Secretaries Chandraker Bharti and Santosh D. Vaidya; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir; IGPs; Deputy Commissioners of Ganderbal and Anantnag, along with senior officers of the UT Administration, BRO and the Shrine Board. The meeting was held at Lok Bhavan, Jammu, with participation both in person and through virtual mode.
