Dy CM Surinder Choudhary, MLA Sajjad Shaheen Welcome First Amarnath Pilgrims in Banihal

Banihal, July 2, 2025 – Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and MLA Banihal Sajjad Shaheen, alongside Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) office bearers and respected members of Banihal’s civil society, warmly welcomed the first batch of Shri Amarnath Yatra 2025 pilgrims at the Lamber Langer site in Banihal today. The event marked the start of the 38-day pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave shrine, with the leaders highlighting Kashmir’s enduring legacy of spiritual harmony and cultural coexistence.Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary described the arrival of the pilgrims as a celebration of Kashmir’s age-old tradition of hospitality and brotherhood. “We are here to welcome the pilgrims. Today, we can see a festival-like atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir, and this is the beauty of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, praising the efforts of security forces, local volunteers, and the administration in ensuring a smooth and peaceful pilgrimage. Expressing hope for the region’s future, Choudhary added, “We will pray to Lord Bhola Shankar that next time we welcome these pilgrims to the state of J&K, not to a UT,” reflecting aspirations for the restoration of statehood.

MLA Sajjad Shaheen echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the Yatra is not just a religious journey but a testament to Kashmir’s inclusive ethos. “Kashmir has always been a symbol of spiritual harmony and cultural coexistence,” Shaheen stated, as shared in a JKNC post on X. The leaders extended heartfelt gratitude to Banihal’s civil society, volunteers, and officials across the Kashmir Valley for their tireless efforts in creating a welcoming environment for the pilgrims.The first batch of 5,892 pilgrims departed from Jammu’s Bhagwati Nagar base camp on July 2, with 3,403 heading to the Pahalgam route and 2,489 to the Baltal route, facilitated by the newly operational Z-Morh Tunnel. This 6.5-km tunnel, connecting Gagangir to Sonamarg on the Srinagar-Leh Highway, has been hailed as a game-changer for its all-weather connectivity, reducing travel time and enhancing safety for pilgrims on the shorter 14-km Baltal route. Pilgrims and locals have praised the tunnel for mitigating risks of avalanches and landslides, with sentiments on X calling it a “revolutionary step” for the Yatra.

The 2025 Amarnath Yatra, commencing on July 3 and concluding on August 9, is supported by robust security measures, including over 50,000 personnel from the CRPF, Army, and Police, along with CCTV, drones, jammers, and AI-powered facial recognition technology. This follows the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which led to a 10.19% drop in registrations, with 3.31 lakh devotees registered and a daily limit of 15,000 pilgrims. The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, has ensured medical teams, air ambulances, and RFID cards for pilgrim safety.

The warm reception in Banihal, attended by Chairperson DDC Ramban Dr. Shamshada Shan and other JKNC leaders, underscores the region’s commitment to fostering unity and supporting the pilgrimage. The event aligns with broader efforts to promote religious tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, such as the planned inclusion of Daati Maa Dev Sthan in Changiya, Arnia, on the religious tourism map, as announced by LG Sinha on the same day. The Z-Morh Tunnel’s role in streamlining access to the Baltal route further enhances the Yatra’s appeal, promising economic benefits for local communities and reinforcing Jammu and Kashmir’s spiritual legacy.

As the pilgrims embark on their sacred journey to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath Cave to pay obeisance to the Holy Ice Lingam, Choudhary and Shaheen wished them a blessed and safe pilgrimage, reflecting the region’s pride in hosting this revered Hindu tradition.

The Z-Morh Tunnel, a 6.5-km infrastructure marvel connecting Gagangir to Sonamarg, has been hailed as a game-changer for the Yatra, particularly for the 14-km Baltal route, by providing all-weather connectivity and reducing risks from avalanches and landslides. Pilgrims on X have called it a “revolutionary step,” noting its role in cutting travel time and enhancing safety for the 2,489 pilgrims traveling via Baltal in the first batch. The 48-km Pahalgam route, taken by 3,403 pilgrims, remains a traditional path, with both routes supported by robust security measures, including over 50,000 personnel, AI-powered facial recognition, and a no-fly zone declaration.

Organized by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the Yatra has seen 3.31 lakh registrations despite a 10.19% drop due to the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. Safety measures include mandatory RFID cards, medical teams, and air ambulances. The Banihal reception, attended by Chairperson DDC Ramban Dr. Shamshada Shan, underscores the region’s commitment to fostering unity and supporting pilgrims, aligning with initiatives like the Vibrant Village Programme and the promotion of religious tourism sites such as Daati Maa Dev Sthan in Changiya, Arnia.

As the pilgrims journey to the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath Cave to worship the Holy Ice Lingam, the warm welcome in Banihal reflects Jammu and Kashmir’s dedication to ensuring a safe and spiritually enriching pilgrimage, bolstered by transformative infrastructure like the Z-Morh Tunnel