National review meeting for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra held

Srinagar, Apr 5: The Department of Health & Medical Education, Jammu and Kashmir, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, successfully conducted the National Review Meeting for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) 2025 at the Banquet Hall in Srinagar.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders, senior officials, and experts to review past experiences, discuss preparedness, and enhance the coordination framework for medical services during the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah (IAS), Secretary, Health & Medical Education (H&ME), J&K, who was the chief guest, delivered a keynote address highlighting the government’s commitment to ensuring a robust healthcare system for pilgrims. He emphasised the need for streamlining the process of issuance of Compulsory Health Certificates by the States and putting in efforts to ensure that the certificates that are issued are done after thoroughly accessing the health status of the intending pilgrim. This measure will help in curbing the morbidity and mortality and save lives.

He also appreciated the states for deputing specialists and medical officers for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra duties over the years and expressed hope that the states and the Government of India institutions depute the staff as per the requisitioned numbers for the forthcoming Yatra 2025. He especially focused on the requirement of Cardiologists, Respiratory Physicians and Anesthetists. This was followed by the unveiling of the Yatra Booklet and the distribution of certificates of appreciation to States and MoHFW. The States/MoHFW Institutions that participated included Delhi, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and West Bengal. Prominent national level institutions who participated included AIIMS (New Delhi, Raipur, Jodhpur, Bhubaneswar Patna, Bhopal, Rishikesh),PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry as well as Banaras Hindu University Medical College, RML Hospital, LHMC, Safdergung Hospitals, New Delhi, and Aligarh Muslim University Medical College. Additionally SKIMS Medical College and Government Medical Colleges of Jammu, Srinagar, Anantnag participated in the meet.

The meeting featured a comprehensive overview of Emergency Medical Response (EMR) activities presented by Dr. L Swasticharan, Additional DDG & Director EMR, MoHFW, outlining emergency response strategies and best practices. Dr. Sujata Chaudhary, Additional Director General Health Services, MoHFW, further elaborated on national-level coordination efforts to enhance medical response mechanisms for SANJY.

Meanwhile, District Development Commissioner (DDC) Anantnag, Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, chaired a meeting to review the comprehensive action plan for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) 2025-26. The meeting reviewed and refined the Capex and Revex budgets, ensuring meticulous preparations for the upcoming pilgrimage. Critical components such as infrastructure, security, medical services, sanitation and logistics essential for the Yatra’s success were discussed. The meeting focused on aligning preparations with budgetary allocations, with detailed presentations from various departments. Engineering departments presented plans for roads and track, shelters, and resting areas to facilitate seamless pilgrim movement.

The Medical Departments detailed medical and emergency response strategies including by AYUSH to ensure comprehensive healthcare. Meanwhile, Rural Development and Panchayats Department and Municipal Councils presented a thorough sanitation and waste management framework to maintain cleanliness and provide adequate public amenities throughout the pilgrimage. Transport Department presented a plan for transportation during the Yatra. District Information Officer presented a plan for effective communication. The DDC underscored the necessity of interdepartmental collaboration to guarantee a seamless Yatra experience.

He called for proactive planning and swift execution of the action plans to preempt and resolve any challenges, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to a successful and safe Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025-26. Among others the meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Chief Executive Officer of the Pahalgam Development Authority, Superintending Engineers from R&B, O&M (KPDCL), and Hydraulic Circles, as well as the Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Animal Husbandry Officer. Meanwhile, the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is scheduled to begin from July 3, 2025.