Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma today visited Lakhanpur to review the preparedness and arrangements being made for the convenience of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra pilgrims. During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner inspected the upcoming Yatri Facilitation Centre and reviewed the arrangements related to essential facilities, including safe drinking water supply, uninterrupted power availability, sanitation and toilet facilities, cleanliness measures and healthcare services.
He also inspected the RFID and e-KYC counters being established at the centre for the facilitation of pilgrims. The Deputy Commissioner was apprised that over 90% of the civil works of the Yatri Facilitation Centre have been completed, while the remaining finishing and facelifting works are on at full pace.
He was informed that the facility shall be made fully operational at least one week before the commencement of the Yatra. The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned officers and executing agencies to expedite the remaining works while adhering to quality standards.
He stressed maintaining close coordination among departments, timely completion of all arrangements and provision of seamless facilities to the visiting pilgrims. Reviewing the arrangements for setting up Langars, the Deputy Commissioner informed that the permissions for the same shall be issued soon after completion of the requisite formalities.
The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2026 would start from Kathua towards Jammu on July 1, 2026. The first batch of pilgrims shall leave the Jammu Base Camp on July 2, 2026. The Yatri Facilitation Centre at Lakhanpur is being developed as a key transit facility for pilgrims entering Jammu and Kashmir, with provisions for registration, verification, health assistance and other essential services.
During the visit, the Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by DC State Taxes Joginder Jasrotia; ADC Mahima Madan; Chief Planning Officer Ranjeet Thakur; XEN PDD Shafi Ahmed; Executive Officer Municipal Committee Lakhanpur Prithvi Sangra and other concerned officers.