Srinagar/Jammu: In a significant decision ahead of the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) on Thursday doubled the accidental insurance cover for registered pilgrims, service providers, pujaris and associated workers from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, substantially strengthening the safety net for all stakeholders of the Yatra.
The decision was taken at the 50th board meeting of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), chaired by J-K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, an official spokesman said.
The Board also announced that the ‘Pratham Pooja’ for the 2026 pilgrimage will be performed on June 29 on the occasion of ‘Jyeshtha Purnimaa’.
The formal commencement date for the Yatra will be finalised soon, the spokesman said.
Lakhs of pilgrims from across the country annually visit the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine of Amarnath, housing the naturally formed ice shivlingam.
The Yatra takes place from twin routes – the traditional 48 km route from Pahalgam in Anantnag, and the 14 km shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
The Board approved the setting up of a laser and sound show dedicated to ‘Baba Barfani’, to be hosted in both Srinagar and Jammu, which will also serve as a cultural beacon, highlighting the rich spiritual history of the Union territory, the spokesman said.
The Board also gave its nod to various key measures and interventions to further enhance the spiritual experience and convenience of the devotees for the upcoming Yatra, the spokesman said.
The Board decided to enhance the accidental insurance cover for registered Yatris, service providers, officials, seasonal workers and ‘pujaris’ from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, other than discussing and approving various welfare measures for the SASB employees, the spokesman said.
L-G Sinha, who is also chairman of the SASB, directed the concerned officials to identify spots for installing suitable toilet facilities along the Yatra routes.
Sinha also directed the installation of sheds and rain shelters on the tracks for the pilgrims, service providers and security personnel, the spokesman said.
The meeting discussed the ongoing projects, dissemination of Yatra-related information, insurance cover for ponies, extension of online and pre-paid services, registration of pilgrims, disaster preparedness and mitigation measures, and adequate provisioning of medical care facilities, he said.
The Board also deliberated on langar and volunteer services, security and surveillance, laying of crash barriers and safety railings along the vulnerable stretches on both routes, and the progress achieved on various ongoing works undertaken by different departments, the spokesman said.
Reviewing the maintenance, restoration and development of Yatra tracks by Border Roads Organisation, the Board was informed that the BRO has registered significant progress, achieving comfortable track width on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, gave a detailed presentation regarding the arrangements for the upcoming Yatra.
The meeting was attended by Members of the Shrine Board- 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.
Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Shailendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Power Development Department; Nalin Prabhat, DGP; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary Home; Santosh D. Vaidya, Principal Secretary, Finance; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; IGPs; Deputy Commissioners (Ganderbal and Anantnag); Additional CEO SASB and senior officers of the UT Administration, BRO and Shrine Board also attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode, at Lok Bhavan Jammu.
