SRINAGAR: The 38-day-long Amarnath Yatra will begin on July 3 via the twin routes of Pahalgam (48 km) in Anantnag and Baltal (14 km) in Ganderbal, leading to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine. The first batch of pilgrims will leave from the Jammu-based Bhagwati Nagar base camp on July 2.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Jammu Zone Bhim Sen Tuti said the administration is fully prepared for the pilgrimage. “Multi-tier security arrangements have been put in place,” he told reporters in Jammu after a review meeting chaired with Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar.
Tuti said this year’s security deployment includes over 180 companies of paramilitary forces, in addition to the J&K Police. “Compared to previous years, stronger measures are being taken — including enhanced deployment in sensitive areas and expanded CCTV coverage,” he added.
Security has been tightened along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway from Lakhanpur to Banihal. “This year, Road Opening Parties (ROPs) will be stationed between Lakhanpur and Jammu as well, which wasn’t the case last year,” he said. Langars and lodging centres along the route are also under security cover.
The IGP said traffic advisories will be issued daily from July 2. “Cut-off timings will be fixed at all key locations. Pilgrims must follow these instructions to avoid delays or inconvenience,” he said.
He urged pilgrims to travel only in the designated convoys departing between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. “Travelling individually is not advisable. Organised convoys ensure a safer environment,” he added.
