Amarnath Yatra Registrations Dip by Over 10% Following April Attack, Says J\&K LG Manoj Sinha
Registrations for this year’s Amarnath Yatra have dropped by 10.19% compared to last year, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Thursday. The decline follows the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam's Baisaran area that claimed 26 lives, most of them tourists.
Speaking to reporters at Raj Bhavan, Sinha said that before the attack, nearly 2.36 lakh people had already registered for the yatra. However, the incident caused a noticeable slowdown in the registration process. “Pilgrim registrations were progressing well before the April 22 incident, but saw a decline afterwards,” he noted.
To reassure pilgrims and encourage participation, those who had registered before April 22 were asked to reconfirm their plans. So far, over 85,000 have confirmed their intent to undertake the pilgrimage.
Sinha acknowledged that the attack had a wider impact, affecting not just the yatra but the entire Jammu and Kashmir region, especially the Valley. “Despite this, the measures taken by the administration and security agencies have helped restore confidence, and registrations are picking up again,” he said.
The yatra is scheduled to begin on July 3 and conclude on August 9. Sinha said elaborate security arrangements have been put in place, including a three-tier security system at the base camps, regular area domination exercises, mock drills, and deployment of additional police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). All service providers involved in the pilgrimage have also undergone verification.
**Helicopter Services Suspended This Year**
Sinha also confirmed that helicopter services for the yatra have been suspended this year due to a combination of factors, including recent helicopter crashes in other states and overall security concerns. “Only around eight percent of pilgrims were using helicopters, so the suspension will not significantly impact the overall pilgrimage,” he explained.
**Focus on Safety and Infrastructure**
The Lieutenant Governor urged pilgrims travelling by private vehicles to coordinate with official convoys from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for their own safety.
He also highlighted improvements made in recent years to enhance the yatra experience. These include widening the trekking path from four feet to 12 feet and reinforcing vulnerable sections with protective barriers. “The track is now motorable up to the holy cave, although vehicle access will be restricted to emergencies only,” Sinha said.
He concluded by saying, “The yatra will take place this year as it has in previous years. Feedback from pilgrims has been positive, and the efforts of the administration and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board have been appreciated.”