Jammu Kashmir: Insurance Cover Doubled for Vaishno Devi Pilgrims | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board on Thursday approved a series of safety, infrastructure and cultural initiatives for the upcoming pilgrimage, including doubling the accidental insurance cover for registered yatris and associated personnel from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, alongside plans for a laser and sound show to highlight the region’s spiritual heritage.

The decisions were taken during the Board’s 50th meeting, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of the Board. The enhanced insurance cover will extend to pilgrims, service providers, seasonal workers, officials and pujaris associated with the annual yatra to the high-altitude cave shrine.

The Board also cleared a proposal to host a laser and sound show in Srinagar and Jammu, aimed at presenting the cultural and religious significance of the Amarnath shrine and attracting wider public engagement.

Announcing the pilgrimage calendar, the Board said the ‘Pratham Pooja’ for the 2026 Yatra will be held on June 29, 2026, coinciding with Jyeshtha Purnima, while the formal commencement date will be notified shortly.

A detailed review of preparations was undertaken, covering dissemination of information, registration of pilgrims, disaster preparedness, medical facilities, telecommunication services, grid connectivity, weather forecasting systems and security arrangements. The Board also discussed extending online and pre-paid services and introducing a digital pre-paid system for hiring ponies and other services.

To improve on-ground amenities, the Lieutenant Governor directed installation of additional toilet facilities, shelter sheds and rain shelters along the tracks for pilgrims, service providers and security personnel. Safety measures such as crash barriers and railings on vulnerable stretches of the route were also cleared.

Officials informed the meeting that the Border Roads Organisation has made significant progress in maintaining and widening tracks on both the traditional Pahalgam and shorter Baltal routes to ensure smoother movement of yatris.

Mandeep K Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, presented a comprehensive plan outlining logistical and welfare arrangements for the pilgrimage, which draws lakhs of devotees each year to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the revival of the historic pilgrimage route to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board from Nagrota to Deva Mai remains uncertain despite earlier approvals. The government told the Legislative Assembly that execution of the “Pracheen Marg” restoration project would depend on the availability of funds under the 2026–27 CAPEX Budget, pushing timelines for the heritage corridor into the future.

The proposed restoration aims to conserve ancient temples, step-wells, sarais and traditional structures along the route, which heritage groups say could boost religious tourism and local employment while preserving centuries-old cultural assets.