Jammu, Feb 12 (JKNS): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday chaired the 50th meeting of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), during which several key decisions were taken to strengthen arrangements for the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026, including enhancement of accidental insurance cover and approval of a Laser and Sound Show dedicated to Baba Barfani.
Approved setting up Laser and Sound Show dedicated to ‘Baba Barfani’, to be hosted in both Srinagar and Jammu. The show will also serve as a cultural beacon, highlighting the rich spiritual history of the Union Territory, as per news agency JKNS.
The Board also announced that the Pratham Pooja for the 2026 pilgrimage will be performed on June 29, 2026 on the occasion of Jyeshtha Purnimaa. The formal commencement date for the Yatra will be finalized soon.
The meeting was chaired by the Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB).
The Board approved various key measures and interventions to further enhance the spiritual experience and convenience of devotees for the upcoming 2026 Yatra.
Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine 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.
The Board also discussed and approved various welfare measures for SASB employees.
The Lieutenant Governor directed the officials for identifying spots for installation of suitable toilet facilities enroute the yatra.
He further directed installation of shelter sheds and rain shelters on tracks for pilgrims, service providers and security personnel.
The meeting also 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; adequate provisioning of medical care facilities; langar and volunteer services, telecommunication, grid connectivity; Weather Forecasting Infrastructure & Systems, security and surveillance; digital pre-paid system for hiring services, laying of crash barriers and safety railings along vulnerable stretches on both routes and the progress achieved on various ongoing works undertaken by different departments.
Reviewing the maintenance, restoration and development of Yatra tracks by Border Roads Organization, the Board was informed that the BRO has registered a significant progress, achieving comfortable track width on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, 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. (JKNS)
