Six Amarnath Pilgrims Injured in Udhampur Accident

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday underscored the administration’s commitment to the safety and well‑being of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, both by ensuring top‑tier medical care for Udhampur road accident victims and by personally reviewing facilities at the Baltal base camp.

The Lt. Governor said he had instructed civil and health authorities to provide the best possible treatment to six pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district who met with a road accident near Toldi Nallah in Udhampur district while travelling towards the Pahalgam base camp. Their vehicle reportedly skidded off the road, leaving one devotee seriously injured who was shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu for advanced care, while the remaining five—who are stable—are being treated at GMC Udhampur.

Sinha said he has directed the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, and medical teams at both hospitals to ensure all necessary support is extended without delay. Praying for their recovery, he added that he hoped Lord Shiva blesses them with strength and healing.

Later in the day, the Lt. Governor visited the Baltal base camp to review arrangements for the ongoing pilgrimage. He interacted with devotees, inspected facilities, and reiterated that the comfort and safety of pilgrims must remain the administration’s highest priority. He said that from registration to accommodation, and from movement along the route to darshan at the holy cave, every step should be seamless, well‑coordinated, and free of obstacles. Officers on duty, he noted, are continuously monitoring tent accommodations and other essential services to ensure a smooth experience.

Over the past couple of days, several videos shared on social media have carried complaints from some pilgrims about alleged mismanagement at base camps and other halting points, delays in allowing them to proceed towards the cave shrine—nestled in the Kashmir Himalayas at an altitude of about 3,800 metres—and other difficulties they claimed to be facing. Many of these pilgrims had reportedly arrived in Jammu, Baltal and Pahalgam without prior registration, hoping to avail themselves of tatkal, or on-the-spot, registration.

As thousands of devotees continue to reach the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps every day without prior registration, or before their allotted dates and slots, the Amarnath Yatra administration has repeatedly appealed to pilgrims to strictly follow the prescribed registration and scheduling process in the larger interest of safety and orderly conduct of the pilgrimage. It has clarified that tatkal registration slots are extremely limited and cannot accommodate the large number of unregistered devotees arriving in J&K each day.

Sinha highlighted that 100‑bed hospitals at Baltal and Chandanwari—functional for the past three years—are providing crucial medical support to both pilgrims and personnel deployed along the yatra routes. These hospitals are handling an average of 1,300 to 1,400 OPD cases daily, underscoring their importance in safeguarding health during the pilgrimage.

During his inspection, the Lt. Governor visited the Base Camp Hospital, registration counters, tents, and sanitation facilities. He directed all departments to maintain seamless inter‑departmental coordination and ensure uninterrupted water supply, comprehensive sanitation audits, and strict action against overcharging or fraudulent registrations. He emphasised that no individual or institution involved in malpractice would be spared, and cases should be registered immediately.

Sinha also interacted with service providers, sanitation workers, doctors, and volunteers running langars, praising their spirit of selfless service. He said the yatra not only enriches the spiritual lives of devotees but also brings economic opportunities and positive change for local communities. Calling the pilgrimage a “living symbol of aspirational Jammu Kashmir,” he stressed the collective responsibility to preserve its sanctity and cleanliness.

Officials briefed the Lt. Governor on security, healthcare, accommodation, water and power supply, and other essential services. They informed him that RO water installations along the track have been increased to ensure adequate availability of clean drinking water. An effective feedback mechanism has also been put in place to promptly address issues raised by pilgrims.

Interacting with pilgrims, Sinha enquired about the facilities and received appreciation for the arrangements made by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), administration, police, army, security forces, and other stakeholders, an official statement issued here said. He invited devotees from across the country to experience the spiritual joy of Baba Barfani’s darshan and assured them of continued improvements in management, it added.

Speaking to mediapersons, the Lt. Governor said that on the eighth day of the yatra, around 1,70,000 pilgrims had already paid obeisance at the holy cave. He noted that many pilgrims arrived without prior registration, but the administration successfully facilitated their journey through proper protocols. He urged all devotees to follow guidelines issued by the administration and Shrine Board, and to immediately report any inconvenience to Camp Directors or security personnel for swift assistance.

The Lt. Governor was accompanied by senior officials including Dr. Mandeep K Bhandari, CEO of the SASB and senior officers from civil administration, police, and security forces.