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Key Points

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has assured full security and civil arrangements for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. The administration is currently prioritizing the smooth conduct of both the Amarnath pilgrimage and the Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela. Tourism revival efforts will only begin after the yatra concludes safely. Preparations are underway at key transit points, including health checks for ponies and verification of service providers.

Key Points: Omar Abdullah Ensures Security for Amarnath Yatra Amid Tourism Concerns

  • Omar Abdullah confirms security preparations for Amarnath Yatra
  • Focus on Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela before tourism revival
  • Dual pilgrimage routes via Sonamarg-Baltal and Pahalgam
  • Joint teams verifying pony handlers and health checks underway
2 min read

As far as security is concerned, due steps will be taken: J-K CM Omar Abdullah on Amarnath Yatra

J&K CM Omar Abdullah prioritizes Amarnath Yatra security while delaying tourism revival plans until pilgrimage concludes safely.

"As far as security is concerned, due steps will be taken. – Omar Abdullah"

Ganderbal, May 20

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday stated that while tourism in the region has been affected, the government is currently prioritising the smooth and secure conduct of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra.

Abdullah affirmed that civil and security arrangements are being put in place for the annual pilgrimage, which will begin via the Sonamarg-Baltal and Pahalgam routes. He further added that the administration is currently focusing on the successful organisation of the Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela, scheduled for June 3, and efforts to revive tourism will begin once the Amarnath Yatra concludes peacefully.

Speaking to mediapersons, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, "As far as civil arrangements are concerned, we are fully prepared. As far as security is concerned, due steps will be taken. We are primarily focused on the successful conduct of Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela on 3 June. Amarnath Ji Yatra will be conducted via two routes- Sonamarg- Baltal, and Pahalgam, and we will see that it goes on smoothly and the yatris return safely..."

"Tourism has been hit, but we are not doing anything about it for now. Let the situation return to normalcy, after which we will sit with the stakeholders of tourism and work on the revival of our tourism industry... Once Amarnath Yatra concludes peacefully, we will start working on the revival of tourism," he added.

Meanwhile, with less than two months left for the commencement of the holy Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025, preparations are gathering pace at key points along the Pahalgam route.

Scheduled to begin on July 3, this year's yatra is witnessing heightened coordination between security agencies and civil departments to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage.

At the Nunwan Base Camp, the main transit and registration hub near Pahalgam, a large-scale verification and registration process is currently underway for ponies, their handlers, and service providers.

These individuals play a critical role in ferrying pilgrims and supplies during the challenging trek to the Amarnath cave shrine. A joint team comprising officials from the Labour Department and Animal Husbandry Department (Anantnag) is stationed at security checkpoints to oversee this process.

The officers are verifying the identity and background documents of pony owners and other service personnel, while veterinary doctors are conducting thorough health checkups of the ponies before allowing them to be registered.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Good to see the government prioritizing pilgrims' safety. The Amarnath Yatra is not just a pilgrimage but a matter of national pride. Hope they maintain the same level of security preparedness throughout the season. Jai Hind! 🙏
P
Priya M.
While security is important, I wish the CM would address tourism concerns simultaneously. Many Kashmiri families depend on tourism for livelihood. The 'wait and watch' approach might hurt the local economy too much.
A
Amit S.
The verification process for ponies and handlers shows good attention to detail. Last year my uncle went and complained about overcharging by some service providers. Hope this system brings more transparency. #AmarnathYatra
N
Neha T.
Planning to go this year with family. Glad to hear about the security measures. But can the administration also ensure basic facilities like clean toilets and medical camps along the route? That's equally important for pilgrims.
S
Sanjay R.
The CM is handling a tough situation well. First Mata Kheer Bhawani Mela, then Amarnath Yatra - both need peaceful atmosphere. Tourism can wait, devotees' safety cannot. Smart prioritization by the administration.
K
Kavita J.
Hope they maintain the ecological balance too while making arrangements. Last time I visited, there was so much plastic waste along the route. Pilgrimage should not come at the cost of environment. Maybe introduce eco-friendly measures?

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