Jammu, February 12 Authorities on Thursday enhanced the accidental insurance cover for registered Amarnath Yatris, service providers, and ‘pujaris’ from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, strengthening the safety net for all stakeholders involved in the annual pilgrimage in south Kashmir, officials said.
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 Purnima’.
The formal commencement date for the Yatra will be finalized soon, the spokesman said.
Millions of pilgrims from across the country visit the 3,880-meter high holy cave shrine of Amarnath, which houses the naturally formed ice shivlingam.
The Yatra takes place via two 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’, which will be hosted in both Srinagar and Jammu, and will also serve as a cultural landmark, highlighting the rich spiritual history of the Union territory, the spokesman said.
The Board also gave its approval 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, in addition to discussing and approving various welfare measures for SASB employees, the spokesman said.
L-G Sinha, who is also the chairman of the SASB, directed the concerned officials to identify suitable locations for installing toilet facilities along the Yatra routes.
Sinha also directed the installation of shelters and rain shelters on the tracks for the pilgrims, service providers, and security personnel, the spokesman said.
The meeting discussed 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 provision 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.