Umang Narula, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, informed that after taking into consideration requests received from pilgrims and certain organizations, he has held discussions with Chairman, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and it has been decided to provide Registration outlet at Leh to enable the tourist traveling in Ladakh to undertake the Yatra. Consequently, after discussions, Shri Narula announced that the J&K Bank Branch at Main Market, Leh shall provide Advance Registration of Yatris w.e.f 5th of June, 2017. In this context, for the convenience of Yatris the Medical Superintendents of the District Hospitals of Leh and Kargil have been authorized to issue Compulsory Health Certificates to the intending Yatris. Shri Narula noted that this year the Yatra is scheduled to commence from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes from 29th June 2017 and would conclude on 7th August 2017 on the day of Shravan Purnima
Shri Narula, CEO, informed that for pilgrims all over India the Registration facilities for Yatra 2017 are being provided to the Yatris through 436 branches of Punjab National Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank and YES Bank located in 32 States and UTs across the country. For ex- India Pilgrims, the Registration facility is being provided only through Punjab National Bank. Further, for the convenience of Yatris who intend to undertake Yatra in groups, the Shrine Board has also introduced a Group Registration facility. The guidelines and procedure for Advance Registration, Registration of ex-India pilgrims and Group Registration are shown on the website of the Shrine Board www.shriamarnathjishrine.com, for the information of Yatris.The advance online booking for helicopter tickets commenced on 25th April 2017. The per passenger one way heli-fare for Yatra 2017 has been fixed at Rs. 1,715/- (inclusive of all taxes) for the Neelgrath-Panjtarni route and Rs. 2,950/- (inclusive of all taxes) for the Pahalgam-Panjtarni sector.CEO Narula advised the Yatris that they must reach the respective Base Camps on the date for which they have registered themselves and informed that the Access Control Gates at Baltal / Domel and Chandanwari will remain open from 5:00 a.m to 11.00 a.m every day.