Amarnath Yatra 2026: Pilgrims to travel only in security convoys from Jammu

In a major security overhaul for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, authorities have introduced mandatory security convoys for pilgrims entering Jammu and Kashmir, beginning from Lakhanpur in Kathua district. The new arrangement, being implemented for the first time, aims to ensure the safe movement of devotees from the Union Territory’s entry point to the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu.

The first two batches of pilgrims will be flagged off by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha from Bhagwati Nagar on the morning of July 2. The pilgrims will proceed to the twin base camps of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district, depending on their registered route, before the pilgrimage officially begins on July 3.

The 57-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine will be conducted simultaneously through the traditional 48-kilometre Pahalgam route and the shorter but steeper 14-kilometre Baltal route.

Officials said that only pilgrims arriving at Lakhanpur between 6 am and 8 am will be allowed to join the escorted convoy to Jammu. Pilgrims reaching after the cut-off time will have to stay at Lakhanpur until the next scheduled convoy.

They said the decision has been taken to further strengthen the security framework for this year’s yatra and ensure the safe movement of all pilgrims.

Authorities have also directed that pilgrims entering Jammu and Kashmir must travel exclusively on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44). Alternative routes, including the Udhampur-Dhar Road and the Mughal Road, will not be permitted for yatra traffic due to security considerations.

However, officials said that mini-convoys will operate between Udhampur and Banihal according to a fixed security schedule to facilitate the onward movement of pilgrims.

Security has been significantly enhanced ahead of the pilgrimage, with additional Central Armed Police Forces deployed along the route and checkpoints established at vulnerable locations, particularly where border-side link roads connect with the national highway.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has also made it mandatory for all pilgrims, including those travelling in private vehicles, to join the designated security convoys from Jammu. Night travel for yatra vehicles has been prohibited, while the Traffic Police have fixed cut-off timings for convoys to reach designated base and transit camps en route to Pahalgam and Baltal to ensure smooth traffic management and enhanced security throughout the pilgrimage.