SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 14: To ensure a smooth and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage of Yatris during SANJY-2026, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg Saturday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to review arrangements at base camps along the route to the Holy Cave.
On the occasion, the Div Com, as per an official statement issued slew of instructions for advance preparations for forthcoming annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra.
The Divisional Commissioner emphasized optimal utilization of already released funds to augment facilities for pilgrims. He instructed departments to submit detailed action plans for SANJY-2026, float tenders in advance, complete works within stipulated timelines and prepare realistic and practical cost estimates.
Highlighting the role of the Tourism Department as the nodal agency for the SANJY, he directed it to ensure accountability among stakeholder departments.
To facilitate registration of pilgrims, the Divisional Commissioner instructed concerned authorities to increase staff deployment at RFID registration counters. He further directed the Animal Husbandry and Labour Departments to work in coordination for RFID tagging of service providers and ponies.
BEACON was instructed to install crash barriers along the Pahalgam–Chandanwari stretch and the Baltal route, and to construct shelter sheds for security forces along the axes.
During the meeting, he also reviewed operationalization of control rooms including ICCC and circulation of mitigation plans among agencies.
Also, he instructed for capacity augmentation of camps and installation of headcount cameras at designated parking areas.
To ensure seamless movement of SRTC buses during SANJY-2026, Police authorities were directed to facilitate smooth circulation of buses after deboarding of yatries.
The Divisional Commissioner also reviewed the progress of works undertaken by R&B, PHE and KPDCL and emphasized adherence to timelines. He also reviewed arrangements for supply of essential items, including ration and firewood, to the yatra camps.
During the meeting, special focus was laid on sanitation along the camps and routes, stationing of fire tenders at strategic locations, installation of signages and display screens, and expansion of telecom coverage in shadow areas by communication agencies.
The meeting underscored the administration’s commitment to advance planning, inter-departmental coordination and augmentation of services to ensure a safe, efficient and well-managed pilgrimage during SANJY-2026.
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner SMC; Deputy Commissioners of Ganderbal and Bandipora; concerned SSPs, Additional Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag, Srinagar, and Budgam; and officers from FCS&CA, SRTC, Tourism, ULB, RDD, Rural Sanitation, Information, KPDCL, R&B, PHE, NHIDCL, NHAI, Labour, Animal Husbandry, as well as representatives from Jio, Airtel, BSNL, and G-Max.
