Jammu, March 5, 2025- Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired the 48th Board meeting of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board at Raj Bhawan, laying the groundwork for the 2025 Amarnath Yatra. The revered annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine in south Kashmir, perched at 3,880 meters, is set to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 9, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. This year’s yatra, expected to draw lakhs of devotees from across India and beyond, underscores the region’s spiritual and cultural prominence.
The meeting zeroed in on bolstering facilities to ensure a smoother, safer experience for pilgrims. LG Manoj Sinha, who heads the SASB, stressed the importance of upgrading infrastructure along the twin routes—Pahalgam in Anantnag and Baltal in Ganderbal—while enhancing lodging capacities in key transit hubs like Jammu and Srinagar. “Our priority is to provide seamless access and top-notch amenities without compromising the sanctity of this sacred journey,” Sinha remarked, directing officials to prioritise pilgrim safety amid the challenging Himalayan terrain.
Board members, including spiritual leader Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, advocate D. C. Raina, and prominent figure Kailash Mehra Sadhu, contributed valuable suggestions. Discussions spanned improving healthcare services, with plans to deploy additional medical camps and oxygen stations along the routes, given the high altitude’s demands. The board also deliberated on strengthening sanitation facilities and expanding helicopter services to assist elderly and differently-abled pilgrims, reflecting a holistic approach to inclusivity.
Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, SASB’s Chief Executive Officer, presented a comprehensive roadmap, detailing ongoing projects and logistical preparations. He highlighted the progress of road-widening initiatives, installation of weather-monitoring systems, and eco-friendly waste management measures to preserve the fragile ecosystem around the shrine. “We’re also working on real-time pilgrim tracking and emergency response systems to enhance safety,” Bhandari noted, referencing lessons from past yatras, including the tragic cloudburst incident in 2022 that claimed 16 lives.
The meeting also addressed financial aspects, with the board reviewing the budget for 2025 and exploring avenues to fund infrastructure upgrades. Sources indicate that the SASB aims to collaborate with the Union Ministry of Tourism and local stakeholders to boost resources. Additionally, the board considered promoting the yatra’s cultural significance globally, potentially integrating it with Jammu and Kashmir’s broader tourism push under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s administration.
With the yatra’s popularity surging—last year saw over 4.5 lakh participants—the SASB’s efforts signal a blend of tradition and modernity. As preparations gain momentum, LG Sinha reiterated the board’s commitment to ensuring that the spiritual essence of the Amarnath Yatra remains intact, even as it adapts to contemporary needs. The next few months will see intensified coordination between the SASB, district administrations, and security agencies to finalise arrangements ahead of the July kickoff.