Srinagar, Aug 30: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday felicitated the officers and personnel for the smooth conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, describing the achievement as the success of “Team Jammu Kashmir” as a whole.
The LG felicitated officers of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, Civil Administration, Army, CAPFs, J&K Police, BRO, medical professionals, service providers, and other stakeholders for the successful conduct of the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026. He said the pilgrimage was a celebration of the collective resolve that transformed hardships into duty, challenges into opportunities, and service into a form of spiritual practice.
Addressing the gathering, Sinha expressed gratitude to the officers, security personnel, sanitation workers, pony operators, pithu bearers, palanquin carriers, langar volunteers and medical staff who ensured a smooth, secure and dignified Yatra despite difficult terrain and adverse weather. He said the achievement was not the success of any single institution or department but of “Team Jammu Kashmir” as a whole.
The holy yatra was conducted over 57 days, from July 3 to August 28, 2026. Adverse weather posed serious challenges for more than 10 days, yet approximately 4.80 lakh devotees had darshan of Baba Barfani. Remarkably, 82% of pilgrims completed darshan within the first 20 days, and 95% within the first month.
A total of 54,000 service providers were registered, including 31,000 pony operators, pithu bearers and palanquin carriers; 6,400 tent and shop operators; and 7,700 langar volunteers. Around 1.87 lakh pilgrims availed palanquin and pony services.
Ninety-three medical facilities were set up along the route, with 595 clinical beds and 26 oxygen booths. A total of 1,430 doctors and nursing personnel were on round-the-clock duty, supported by 48 ambulances.
As part of a zero-waste Yatra initiative, 7,900 toilets were installed and maintained by 7,900 sanitation workers. Holding capacity was raised to 63,000 within the Yatra area and 54,000 across Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
Aadhaar-based registration helped address the challenge of duplicate registrations. Real-time monitoring was ensured through twice-daily coordination meetings (at 3 a.m. and 8 p.m.) led by Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, CEO of the Shrine Board and Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor, with nodal officers, police, Divisional Commissioners and camp officers.
The Lieutenant Governor said the sacred yatra reflects India’s Sanatan tradition and its ethos of humanity, coexistence and collective service. He noted that pilgrims from across the country returned home carrying not just a religious experience, but also the message of the region’s culture and hospitality.
He thanked civil society groups, political parties and religious leaders who provided support to the yatra, and reaffirmed that the discipline, energy and coordination shown during the pilgrimage should now become an enduring part of Jammu and Kashmir’s development ethos.
“I am confident that every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir fulfilled their moral responsibility towards this yatra, directly or indirectly, and elevated the rich cultural tradition of UT before the entire country,” he said.
“The sacred yatra of Baba Barfani has placed a clear inspiration before all stakeholders and the public that work is accomplished not by wishes alone, but by sustained effort. Through your own efforts, you have demonstrated that when resolve is collective, leadership is clear, arrangements are robust, and the spirit of service is paramount, no goal remains impossible,” the Lieutenant Governor added.
