LG Sinha Chairs 50th SASB Board Meeting | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) on Thursday approved the installation of a laser and sound show dedicated to ‘Baba Barfani’ in Srinagar and Jammu, and enhanced the accidental insurance cover for registered yatris and associated personnel ahead of the 2026 pilgrimage.

The decisions were taken at the 50th Board meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of SASB.

The Board announced that the Pratham Pooja for the 2026 Yatra will be performed on 29 June 2026 on the occasion of Jyeshtha Purnimaa. The formal commencement date of the pilgrimage will be finalised separately.

Among key measures approved, the Board increased the accidental insurance cover from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for registered yatris, service providers, officials, seasonal workers and pujaris. Various welfare measures for SASB employees were also cleared.

The proposed laser and sound show will highlight the spiritual legacy of the shrine and the rich cultural heritage of the Union Territory.

The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to identify suitable locations for additional toilet facilities along the Yatra routes and to install shelter sheds and rain shelters for pilgrims, service providers and security personnel.

The meeting reviewed preparedness across multiple sectors, including registration of pilgrims, disaster mitigation measures, medical care facilities, insurance cover for ponies, extension of online and pre-paid services, telecommunication, grid connectivity, weather forecasting systems, security and surveillance, and the installation of crash barriers and safety railings along vulnerable stretches on both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.

The Board was informed that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has made significant progress in maintenance, restoration and development of the Yatra tracks, achieving comfortable track width on both routes.

Mandeep K Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, SASB, gave a detailed presentation on arrangements for the forthcoming Yatra.

The meeting was attended by members of the Shrine Board, senior officials of the Union Territory administration, representatives of the BRO and other concerned departments, both in person and virtually, at Lok Bhavan, Jammu.