The Jammu and Kashmir administration is preparing to identify and mark disaster-prone and vulnerable sections along the twin tracks leading to the Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir ahead of the 2026 annual yatra, officials said on Thursday.
The directions were issued by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo during a meeting here, following inputs from the divisional administrations and the deputy commissioners of Anantnag and Ganderbal districts.
Dulloo instructed officials to strictly prohibit the erection of any temporary structures in high-risk and disaster-prone zones along both pilgrimage routes.
The Anantnag (Pahalgam) route — the longer but generally considered safer option — stretches approximately 48 kilometres. However, it carries a higher security risk for pilgrims due to the history of militancy in the area, though security forces have reduced active incidents to single digits in recent years.
The shorter but steeper Baltal (Ganderbal) route is a 14-kilometre trek that presents significant terrain and altitude challenges, particularly for elderly and less fit pilgrims.
The 2026 Yatra is expected to commence in July or August and attract lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad to the high-altitude cave shrine.
During the 15th high-level committee meeting of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) held on Wednesday, the chief secretary directed all line departments and stakeholders to finalise comprehensive arrangements well in advance to ensure a seamless pilgrimage.
He emphasised the importance of early completion of preparatory works and instructed deputy commissioners to facilitate service providers so that essential facilities remain operational throughout the Yatra period.
An official present at the meeting said the chief secretary stressed inter-departmental coordination to deliver a smooth and hassle-free experience for pilgrims in 2026.
Chief Executive Officer of the SASB, Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, briefed the committee on the progress achieved following last year’s Yatra, despite the security incident in Pahalgam on April 22.
He highlighted ongoing works by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for track upgradation, measures to ensure reliable power and water supply, disaster mitigation initiatives, the prepaid hiring system for ponies and porters, camp holding capacities, and the registration of labour and pony services.
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