Kashmir top official calls for timely completion of Amarnath Yatra works

To ensure a smooth and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage during the forthcoming annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY)-2026, Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg on Friday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess arrangements at base camps and along the route to the holy cave.

During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner issued a slew of directions for advance preparations for the annual pilgrimage.

He emphasised optimal utilisation of funds already released to augment facilities for pilgrims and directed all departments to submit detailed action plans. He instructed officials to float tenders in advance, complete works within stipulated timelines and prepare realistic cost estimates to avoid delays.

Highlighting the role of the Tourism Department as the nodal agency for the yatra, he directed it to ensure effective coordination and accountability among all stakeholder departments.

To facilitate smoother registration of pilgrims, Garg instructed authorities to increase staff deployment at RFID registration counters. He also directed the Animal Husbandry and Labour Departments to coordinate for RFID tagging of service providers and ponies engaged during the yatra.

The Border Roads Organisation (BEACON) was asked to install crash barriers along the Pahalgam–Chandanwari stretch and the Baltal route, and to construct shelter sheds for security forces along the yatra axes.

The Divisional Commissioner reviewed the operationalisation of control rooms, including the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), and called for timely circulation of mitigation and contingency plans among all concerned agencies.

He further directed capacity augmentation of camps and installation of headcount cameras at designated parking areas to ensure better monitoring and crowd management.

To ensure seamless movement of buses operated by the Jammu and Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC), police authorities were instructed to facilitate smooth circulation of vehicles after the deboarding of yatris.

Garg also reviewed the progress of works undertaken by the Roads and Buildings (R&B), Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), stressing strict adherence to timelines. He took stock of arrangements for the supply of essential commodities, including ration and firewood, to yatra camps.

Special focus was laid on sanitation along camp sites and routes, stationing of fire tenders at strategic locations, installation of signages and display screens, and expansion of telecom connectivity in shadow areas by communication agencies.

The meeting underscored the administration’s commitment to advance planning, inter-departmental coordination and enhancement of services to ensure a safe, efficient and well-managed pilgrimage during SANJY-2026.