SRINAGAR, June 30 — The Amarnath Yatra begins on July 3, with the first batch of pilgrims set to leave from Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, under tight security. The 43-day pilgrimage will end on August 9.
Over 3.5 lakh pilgrims have registered, but only 85,000 have reconfirmed post the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 25 tourists and one local. Last year’s yatra saw over 5.1 lakh participants.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who heads the Amarnath Shrine Board, reviewed arrangements at Nunwan Base Camp and Chandanwari, inaugurating a new foot overbridge to ease congestion.
The yatra will operate under strict protocols, including RFID tracking, health certification, and convoy-only movement. Solo travel and private vehicles are banned.
Over 580 companies of security forces, including the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police, have been deployed. Drone surveillance, CCTV, and multi-layered checkpoints are in place along both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
