Over 5,600 Sanitation Units, 7,361 Workers Deployed for Amarnath Yatra 2025

SRINAGAR: With over 5,600 toilets and bathing units installed across both pilgrimage routes—2,920 along the Pahalgam axis and 2,693 on the Baltal route—and a sanitation workforce of 7,361 deployed across the Himalayan terrain, the Amarnath Yatra 2025 is set to begin under heightened logistical preparedness. Additionally, 15 solid waste processing centres have been established, reflecting the administration’s focus on both safety and sustainability.

The annual pilgrimage to the sacred cave shrine of Baba Barfani in South Kashmir will formally commence on July 2 with the flag-off of the first batch of pilgrims by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha from the Yatri Niwas base camp at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu. Despite the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, thousands of devotees have already arrived in Jammu, undeterred in their resolve and faith.

Pilgrims have expressed satisfaction with the security and facilities provided. “The attack in Pahalgam was unfortunate, but it hasn’t shaken our faith. We are here with full devotion,” said a pilgrim from Madhya Pradesh. Meena Sharma from Rajasthan added, “Our families were worried at first, but seeing the robust security presence, all fears have gone.”

This year’s yatra is expected to attract lakhs of pilgrims from across India. Jammu has become a key transit hub, with registration counters, health camps, food stalls, and helpline centres operating at full capacity. A central control room is active, while the yatra is secured under a multi-layered security grid, supported by drone surveillance, CCTV monitoring, and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) stationed along both Pahalgam and Baltal routes.

To ensure seamless coordination, LG Sinha on Monday conducted a detailed review of preparations at the Baltal base camp in Sonmarg. Accompanied by top security and civil officials, he assessed deployment, medical support, surveillance infrastructure, and emergency response readiness. “After today’s meeting, I can confidently say that this year’s Amarnath Yatra will be better than the past years,” he said, noting the robust and coordinated security arrangements.

LG Sinha also inaugurated the newly constructed Yatri Niwas of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board at Pantha Chowk, Srinagar. The five-storey facility, built through public donations, comprises 75 rooms, 225 beds, and 43 dormitories, accommodating up to 1,300 pilgrims. He announced that the second phase of the facility’s construction will begin soon. “This facility is a testament to our commitment to serve the devotees of Baba Barfani,” he said.

To integrate sustainability into the pilgrimage, the administration has launched an extensive Information, Education & Communication (IEC) campaign, led by the Directorate of Rural Sanitation. The campaign features a dedicated Yatra logo, anthem, website, mobile app, pamphlets, guidelines, mascots, and a management information system aimed at promoting eco-friendly practices and interactive pilgrim engagement.

The Trinetra App, available at www.zerowasteyatra.app, will offer real-time sanitation updates, alerts, and safety information. Langar organisers, shopkeepers, and service providers along the route are being sensitised to minimise plastic use and comply with Swachh Bharat norms, furthering the Zero-Waste pilgrimage objective.

The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has urged all devotees to follow health protocols, carry valid registration documents, and cooperate with authorities. With strengthened infrastructure, dedicated personnel, and unwavering spirit among pilgrims, the Amarnath Yatra 2025 is set to be both secure and spiritually fulfilling.