The annual national-level review meeting for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2025 is scheduled to be held in Srinagar on 5 April, with participation from senior health officials and key stakeholders representing states and Union Territories across the country.
The high-level meeting, which will take place ahead of the commencement of the pilgrimage on 3 July, will focus primarily on ensuring comprehensive health and safety protocols for the lakhs of devotees expected to undertake the sacred journey to the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas. The yatra will conclude on 9 August.
“Ensuring the health and safety of pilgrims is our top priority. The meeting will address critical aspects, including high-altitude health risks, availability of medical aid stations, and coordination among various agencies,” a senior official said on Thursday.
Directors and representatives from all participating states and Union Territories that deploy medical personnel for the pilgrimage are expected to attend, alongside officials from premier national health institutions.
With the number of pilgrims witnessing a steady rise, authorities are taking pre-emptive steps to enhance medical preparedness. Last year, the yatra drew a record footfall of 5.1 lakh devotees—marking the highest turnout in over a decade.
Among the key issues on the agenda are the availability of ambulances, uninterrupted oxygen supply, and standardised acclimatisation protocols to mitigate high-altitude related ailments.
To augment services, the Kashmir Health Department has introduced semi-permanent infrastructure at base hospitals in Baltal, while upgrading existing facilities across transit points and routes. Emergency response systems will be in place round-the-clock, supported by adequately staffed medical teams.
In a noteworthy innovation, the department has also deployed horse-mounted ambulances to provide rapid medical assistance in areas inaccessible to motor vehicles—an initiative that has significantly improved response time and care quality in emergencies.
Over recent years, yatra-related casualties have seen a marked decline, credited to the strategic deployment of modern healthcare systems along the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. Authorities attribute this success to coordinated efforts between health officials, paramilitary forces, and civil administration.
Although the pilgrimage period coincides with summer, officials have flagged the unpredictable mountain weather, which can cause sudden drops in temperature and severe health complications. Medical teams are expected to remain on high alert throughout the pilgrimage period to handle any weather-induced emergencies.
With preparations well under way, officials emphasised that every effort was being made to ensure a safe, smooth, and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for all.
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