J&K Governor Launches Online Registration for Amarnath Yatra

Srinagar, May 29, KNT:  Governor Satya Pal Malik launched an online registration facility for pilgrims intending to undertake the Amarnath Yatra, introducing the service on a pilot basis at Raj Bhavan in Srinagar.

The Governor, who is also Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, inaugurated the facility in the presence of Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, along with other senior officials.

Officials said the pilot project was approved at the 36th Board Meeting held on March 7, 2019. The online system was developed with technical support from the National Informatics Centre under the supervision of the State Informatics Officer.

For the 2019 Yatra commencing from July 1, the online registration facility was made available to 500 pilgrims per day, including 250 from the Pahalgam route and 250 from the Baltal route.

Pilgrims opting for online registration were required to upload a Compulsory Health Certificate issued by doctors or hospitals nominated by the concerned State or Union Territory governments, along with a registration fee of Rs 200 per person.

Computer-generated Yatra Slips in triplicate, carrying QR Code and Bar Code, along with the original health certificate, were to be produced at Access Control Gates at Domel and Chandanwari. Officials said no pilgrim would be allowed to proceed without these documents.

As part of the initiative, the Shrine Board introduced QR coding and bar coding of Yatra Permit Forms to enable real-time tracking and enumeration of pilgrims at access control gates and intermediate camps.

Officials said the pilot project would be closely monitored with a view to expanding online registration in subsequent years. [KNT]