The annual Shri Amarnath Yatra kicked off in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of 4800 devotees in Jammu. The first darshan of the holy Shiv Lingam will be held on Friday. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful and incident-free yatra. More than 65000 Central Armed Police Force personnel have been deployed to guard yatris during the 57-day pilgrimage. The paramilitary troops will be in addition to the Jammu and Kashmir police and army deployed in the Union territory. This year, forces are also focusing on the security of the Jammu-Srinagar railway line. A large number of pilgrims are expected to travel by trains. The advance registration for the yatra started on April 15 through offline and online modes. Last year, more than 4.1 lakh devotees visited the cave shrine in 37 days. This was despite the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, on April 22, 2025. Technology is being extensively used to monitor the yatra right from the base camp in Jammu to the cave shrine. For the first time, police have launched the `Pahchan App’, a QR-based mobile application designed to register and regulate service providers operating along the Shri Amarnath yatra route and at key tourist destinations. The application enables instant, on-spot verification of service providers and creates a secure ecosystem by clearly differentiating registered and verified individuals from unregistered ones. The primary objective behind the app is to prevent the entry of unverified or anti-social elements under the guise of service providers. It will also aid in smooth crowd management, as organized and regulated service delivery reduces disputes, overcharging, and congestion on the yatra tracks. Jammu and Kashmir police have also pressed 18 highly specialized mountain rescue teams into service to ensure the safety of yatris. Located at an altitude of nearly 3,880 metres in the Himalayas, the twin routes are vulnerable to landslides, flash floods and adverse weather conditions. MRT has been equipped with advanced Avalanche Victim Detectors (AVDs), enabling rescue teams to locate victims quickly and launch real-time rescue operations in the event of avalanches or similar incidents. Elaborate arrangements aside, let us not forget that the yatris will be our ambassadors to the outside world. It is our duty to roll out a red carpet for the pilgrims when they arrive. Like always, we should make their stay comfortable. We are known for our hospitality; let us showcase it once again. Yatris should go back home with sweet memories. It will not only create a feel-good factor across the nation, but will also help our tourism industry in a big way. Word of mouth is more powerful than any media blitzkrieg. Let us be a good host and treat our guests as our own. Welcome to Jammu and Kashmir!
Welcome!
