J&K LG Manoj Sinha Inaugurates ONGC Yatri Niwas and Disaster Centre at Baltal

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to safe and seamless pilgrimage experiences, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the ONGC-supported Disaster Management Centre and Yatri Niwas at Baltal, Ganderbal. Developed under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), this state-of-the-art facility is set to significantly enhance the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra infrastructure and support systems. Spanning 6,315 square meters, the complex includes a Yatri Niwas with a capacity for 800 pilgrims, a VIP guest house, a security block, and robust disaster-response infrastructure. Designed to withstand Baltal’s challenging terrain and extreme weather, the facility aims to provide pilgrims with safe accommodation, sanitation, and medical care. ONGC Chairman and CEO Arun Kumar Singh was also present during the inauguration, underscoring the corporation’s ongoing mission to serve both the nation and its people. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasised that the project reflects the administration’s unwavering priority to ensure the safety, dignity, and comfort of every devotee. He stated that this milestone would not only support the lakhs of pilgrims who undertake the sacred journey annually but also serve the needs of the local population throughout the year. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri lauded the project as a direct outcome of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of strengthening pilgrimage infrastructure and improving accessibility in remote regions. Beyond the yatra season, the Baltal facility is expected to bring year-round benefits to local communities. In 2024, ONGC established two permanent 100-bed hospitals at Baltal and Chandanwari, now functioning as Primary Health Centres. Equipped with ICUs and dedicated staff accommodations, these medical units address critical healthcare gaps in the region and have replaced temporary camps. This healthcare infrastructure is a significant step forward in improving rural health services and community resilience. The complex is also anticipated to generate local employment and support small-scale vendors, artisans, and transport workers, thereby stimulating the regional economy. LG Manoj Sinha noted that ONGC’s effort contributes meaningfully to both spiritual and economic upliftment, making a lasting impact on people’s lives. The Baltal centre is part of a larger ONGC-led initiative to strengthen the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra ecosystem. Additional complexes are under development at Nunwan (8,500 sq. m) and Bijbehara (7,640 sq. m) in Anantnag, scheduled for completion in September 2025, and at Sidhra in Jammu, expected by September 2026. These facilities will enhance logistics, lodging, emergency response, and crowd management, especially for pilgrims from underprivileged backgrounds. This major inauguration comes shortly after the tragic April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 civilians lost their lives. Despite a 10.19% dip in registrations this year, over 3.31 lakh pilgrims have already signed up for the 2025 yatra. Their resilience speaks volumes about the spiritual commitment and trust in the administration. Security arrangements have been intensified, with 581 CAPF companies, drone surveillance, and anti-sabotage teams deployed across the pilgrimage route. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hailed the collective efforts of all stakeholders—security agencies, health workers, civil society, and ONGC—for ensuring a peaceful and spiritually enriching yatra. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister Puri for their continued support in bringing world-class infrastructure to Jammu and Kashmir. The Baltal Disaster Management Centre and Yatri Niwas stand as a testament to inclusive development and the government’s vision of combining spiritual service with social responsibility. As additional ONGC-backed centres near completion, the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is poised to become not only safer but also more compassionate, efficient, and inclusive—benefitting both pilgrims and the people of Jammu and Kashmir for years to come. Tags: ONGC Baltal Project, LG Manoj Sinha, Hardeep Singh Puri, Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025, PM Narendra Modi, Disaster Management Centre, Yatri Niwas Baltal, ONGC CSR Initiative, Pilgrim Infrastructure, Healthcare Baltal, Nunwan Yatri Niwas, Bijbehara Facility, Sidhra Complex Jammu, Amarnath Pilgrimage Support, Spiritual Tourism J&K, Jammu and Kashmir Development, CAPF Security, Terror Attack Pahalgam 2025, Local Community Upliftment, Rural Healthcare J&K