Jammu, February 12: During its 50th Board meeting, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) approved the establishment of a Laser and Sound Show dedicated to ‘Baba Barfani’, to be hosted in both Jammu and Srinagar. The initiative aims to serve as a cultural and spiritual attraction, showcasing the rich religious heritage and spiritual legacy of the Union Territory.
The Board also announced that the Pratham Pooja for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 will be performed on June 29, 2026, on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Purnima. The formal commencement date of the Yatra will be announced shortly.
The meeting was chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who also serves as the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. Several key measures and interventions were approved to further enhance the spiritual experience, safety, and convenience of pilgrims during the upcoming Yatra.
The Board approved enhancement of accidental insurance coverage for registered yatris, service providers, officials, seasonal workers, and pujaris from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. Various welfare measures for SASB employees were also discussed and approved.
The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to identify suitable locations for the installation of adequate toilet facilities along the Yatra routes. Instructions were also issued for the installation of shelter sheds and rain shelters along the tracks to provide relief to pilgrims, service providers, and security personnel.
The meeting reviewed ongoing projects and deliberated on dissemination of Yatra-related information, insurance cover for ponies, expansion of online and pre-paid services, pilgrim registration, disaster preparedness and mitigation measures, strengthening of medical care facilities, langar and volunteer services, telecommunication arrangements, grid connectivity, weather forecasting infrastructure, security and surveillance systems, digital pre-paid hiring services, and installation of crash barriers and safety railings along vulnerable stretches on both Yatra routes.
Reviewing the maintenance, restoration, and development of Yatra tracks by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Board was informed that significant progress has been achieved, including widening and improving track conditions on both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, delivered a detailed presentation outlining the arrangements and preparedness for the upcoming Yatra.
The meeting was attended by members of the Shrine Board, senior officers of the Union Territory Administration, officials of the Border Roads Organisation, and other concerned departments, both in person and through virtual mode, at Lok Bhavan, Jammu.
