Srinagar, Feb 13 — The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board on Thursday approved doubling the accidental insurance cover for registered pilgrims, service providers, officials, seasonal workers and pujaris from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for the 2026 Amarnath Yatra.
The decision was taken at the 50th Board meeting chaired by Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of the Shrine Board. The meeting cleared a series of measures to improve safety, facilities and overall arrangements for lakhs of devotees who undertake the annual pilgrimage.
“The enhancement of insurance cover is intended to provide greater security and reassurance to pilgrims and all those associated with the Yatra,” an official statement issued after the meeting said.
The Board also announced that the ‘Pratham Pooja’ for the 2026 Yatra will be performed on June 29, 2026, coinciding with Jyeshtha Purnima, while the formal commencement date of the pilgrimage will be announced separately.
Among other decisions, the Board approved the setting up of a laser and sound show dedicated to the holy Amarnath shrine, to be hosted in both Srinagar and Jammu. The show is envisioned as a cultural initiative showcasing the region’s spiritual heritage.
During the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor directed officials to identify suitable locations for toilet facilities along the Yatra routes and asked for the installation of shelter sheds and rain shelters for pilgrims, service providers and forces deployed along the tracks.
The Board reviewed ongoing preparations, including dissemination of Yatra-related information, registration of pilgrims, disaster preparedness and mitigation, medical facilities, langar and volunteer services, telecommunication, grid connectivity, weather forecasting infrastructure, and surveillance arrangements. Discussions were also held on extending online and pre-paid services, insurance for ponies, and the introduction of a digital pre-paid system for hiring services.
Safety measures such as the installation of crash barriers and railings along vulnerable stretches on both routes also came up for review, along with the progress of works being executed by different departments.
Reviewing the status of track maintenance and upgradation by the Border Roads Organisation, the Board was informed that comfortable track widths have been achieved on both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
A detailed presentation on Yatra arrangements was made by Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board.
Every year, lakhs of devotees from across the country visit the Amarnath cave shrine, located at an altitude of 3,880 metres and housing the naturally formed ice shivlingam. The pilgrimage is undertaken via the traditional 48-km Pahalgam route in south Kashmir and the shorter but steeper 14-km Baltal route in central Kashmir.