By Tehelka Web Desk
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a high-level meeting on June 8 to review security and preparedness measures for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, scheduled to begin on July 3.
Official sources said the meeting will be attended by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, intelligence agencies, the Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
The review is expected to serve as the Centre’s final assessment of security and logistical arrangements ahead of the 57-day pilgrimage, which will conclude on August 28.
Officials are likely to brief the Home Minister on force deployment, intelligence coordination, counter-terror measures, convoy security, surveillance systems, and contingency plans along the two pilgrimage routes—Pahalgam in south Kashmir and Baltal in Ganderbal district.
Sources said Shah will also review the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and examine steps taken to ensure the safe conduct of the annual pilgrimage.
Apart from security, the meeting is expected to assess disaster management preparedness, healthcare facilities, communication networks, emergency response mechanisms, and other logistical arrangements for pilgrims.
The review comes as the administration accelerates preparations for the Yatra. Senior officials have recently inspected facilities related to accommodation, sanitation, transportation, healthcare, telecommunications, power supply, and track maintenance along both routes.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg has indicated that authorities are expecting a higher number of pilgrims this year, with registration figures showing encouraging trends. Departments have been directed to complete all essential infrastructure and service-related works well before the start of the pilgrimage.
Officials said coordination among civil departments, security agencies, and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board is being strengthened to ensure smooth conduct of the Yatra. Measures such as RFID-based tracking, enhanced surveillance, and improved emergency response systems are also being put in place.
The annual Amarnath Yatra, one of India’s largest religious pilgrimages, attracts thousands of devotees from across the country to the Himalayan cave shrine located at an altitude of nearly 3,900 metres in south Kashmir. Given the challenging terrain and security considerations, extensive planning and coordination are required each year.
Sources said the June 8 meeting is expected to finalise the operational framework for the pilgrimage and provide directions to ensure a safe and smooth Yatra.
