The reverberations of the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, continue to be felt, impacting various facets of life in Jammu and Kashmir. Among the most notable consequences is a discernible dip in registrations for the annual Amarnath Yatra, a pilgrimage of immense significance for Hindu devotees. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has publicly acknowledged this impact, highlighting the challenges faced in maintaining the momentum of registrations in the wake of the attack.
According to Sinha, nearly 2.36 lakh pilgrims had registered for the Yatra before the Pahalgam incident, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives, predominantly tourists. However, the attack instilled a sense of unease, leading to a slowdown in subsequent registrations. Sinha revealed that there has been a 10.19 percent decrease in registrations compared to the previous year. This decline underscores the sensitivity of pilgrimage tourism to security concerns and the immediate impact of terror-related incidents on pilgrim sentiment.
In response to the situation, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) initiated a reverification process for pilgrims who had registered before April 22. So far, over 85,000 pilgrims have reconfirmed their participation, signaling a gradual restoration of confidence. The administration is hopeful that as security measures are reinforced and confidence-building initiatives gain traction, registration numbers will continue to rise in the days leading up to the Yatra.
The Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to commence on July 3 and will continue until August 9, 2025. The yatra, managed by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), will proceed via the traditional routes of Pahalgam and Baltal. In anticipation of potential security challenges, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has implemented a comprehensive security plan. This includes a three-layered security setup at base camps, increased deployment of police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, area domination exercises, and mock drills to prepare for various contingencies. The verification of all service providers has also been completed to ensure a secure and well-regulated environment for the pilgrims.
For the first time, all pilgrims, even those traveling in their own vehicles, must travel in designated security convoys from Lakhanpur to Jammu and then to the base camps at Pahalgam and Baltal. Night travel is forbidden, and there are cut-off times for getting to base or transit camps. Security forces have been deployed at twice the rate of previous years, and a number of new steps have been implemented to ensure a safe pilgrimage.
In light of the heightened security concerns, this year's Yatra will not include helicopter services, as the area has been declared a no-fly zone. While this may present logistical challenges for some pilgrims, authorities believe it is a necessary step to enhance overall security. Furthermore, efforts have been made to widen the path to the cave shrine, addressing vulnerable points along the way to ensure a smoother and safer journey for the devotees. The route to the cave, which was previously about five feet wide, has now been widened to twelve feet.
The Lieutenant Governor has urged all pilgrims to adhere strictly to security protocols, emphasizing that safety is paramount. He has appealed to pilgrims, including those in private vehicles, to travel only within the designated security convoys. In addition to security measures, pilgrims are advised to follow health and safety guidelines issued by the SASB. Registration for the Yatra began on April 14, 2025, with options available both online and offline. The SASB has set a daily limit of 7,500 pilgrims per route, excluding those traveling by helicopter. The Yatra dates are from July 3 to August 9, 2025.
