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Local News
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| No helicopter services for Amarnath Yatra 2025: SASB | | | | Jammu, Jun 17: With an avowed objective of bolstered security during the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 2025, J&K Government has declared all the routes of Yatra as ‘No Flying Zones’, including Pahalgam axis and Baltal axis, from July 1 to August 10, 2025.
Flying of any kind of aviation platforms and devices including UAVs, drones, balloons will not be allowed during this period.
As a consequence there will be no helicopter services available for pilgrims during Shri Amarnathji Yatra (SANJY) 2025
This has been made clear by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) itself, on its official site, in an important notice splashed for pilgrims planning to undertake Yatra this year (2025), while referring to the official ‘No Fly Zones’ order.
SASB, while asking the pilgrims to take note of the same, asked them to reach the holy cave shrine on foot or avail the services of ponies and palkis throughout the Yatra.
Cases of medical evacuation, disaster management and surveillance by security forces will, however, remain out of the purview of these restrictions.
Move, as part of security arrangements being undertaken for smooth and incident-free Yatra, is in consonance with the advisory of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
An order in this connection was issued by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on June 16, 2025, a day ahead of the high-level security review meetings chaired by the Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan in Srinagar vis-à-vis arrangements pertaining to high-stake Amarnath Yatra beginning July 3 and prevailing J&K situation.
“In view of the forthcoming Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 2025, which is scheduled with effect from July 3, 2025 to August 9, 2025, various security arrangements are being undertaken for smooth and peaceful conduct of the Yatra. All the stakeholders have discussed the prevailing security scenario in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir and have proposed additional logistics provisions,” Principal Secretary, J&K Home Department Chandraker Bharti said in the order, issued on behalf of the Lieutenant Governor.
Bharti has pointed out that the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (GoI), has also advised that the “entire route of Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 2025 may be declared as ‘No Flying Zone’ with effect from July 1 to August 10, 2025.”
“Now, therefore, with a view to ensure strengthened security during the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, 2025, all the routes of Shri Amarnathji Yatra are hereby declared as ‘No Flying Zone’ including both Pahalgam axis and Baltal axis and thus, flying of any kind of aviation platforms and devices including UAVs; drones; balloons, etc., is prohibited with effect from July 1, 2025 to August 10, 2025,” the order read.
“These restrictions will not be applicable in the cases of medical evacuation, disaster management and for surveillance by security forces. A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for such exceptions will be issued subsequently. This order shall remain in force with effect from July 1, 2025 to August 10, 2025,” it was instructed.
Following order, SASB on its official site has also notified non-availability of chopper services for pilgrims during 2025 Yatra.
“Competent Authority has, vide Government Order No 316–HOME (ISA) of 2025, dated June 16, 2025, declared all routes of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra—including both the Pahalgam and Baltal axes—as a ‘No Flying Zone’ from July 1 to August 10, 2025. Consequently, helicopter services for pilgrim travel shall not be available in the Yatra area during Shri Amarnathji Yatra (SANJY) 2025,” the notice on SASB site read.
“All pilgrims planning to visit the Holy Shrine during this Yatra are advised to take note of the same. Pilgrims may reach the Holy Cave Shrine on foot or avail the services of ponies and palkis throughout the Yatra. Thank you for your cooperation,” it added.
Notably, on May 29, immediately after his arrival on two-day visit to J&K, post “Operation Sindoor”, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah had chaired a high-level security meeting to review preparations for Shri Amarnath Yatra, at Raj Bhawan in Jammu. Singular focus was on “fool-proof security grid” to tackle all challenges in the evolving situation.
Evaluating the security arrangements and preparedness meant for the pilgrims, Shah had instructed for maintaining the utmost vigilance and ensuring the seamless completion of the sacred journey.
“Central government and J&K administration will leave no stone unturned to facilitate the pilgrims with all necessary facilities,” the Union Home Minister had asserted.
Following it, the Lieutenant Governor too reviewed the security arrangements for the forthcoming Yatra in a high-level meeting with senior officials on June 13.
In a comprehensive review of the security apparatus and measures deployed by the security agencies to ensure safety of the pilgrims, Sinha directed for seamless coordination among the civil administration; Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board; J&K Police; Army; Security Forces and all the other crucial stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and successful holy pilgrimage.
He assessed the working of the security grid and also reviewed the contingency plan, deployment of Police and security personnel, preparedness and response mechanism of line departments.
Prior to it, on June 11, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, inspected the maintenance, upgradation and widening of Baltal Yatra track enroute the holy cave.
This was the maiden visit to the shrine by any chairman of SASB through Baltal track – a shorter route yet considered to be quite treacherous.
LG Sinha had announced that the alternate route from Chandanwari to Pissutop would be made available with safety hand railing and surfacing for Yatra 2025 for facilitating the on-foot yatris and better managing the Yatra along the Chandanwari axis.
The safety hand railing in vulnerable stretches has been developed on Pahalgam route while the unstable formations along both the routes have been addressed with gabion and breast walls, ILC fence and installation of wire mesh to overcome the danger possessed by the shooting stones.
From the security point of view, though Amarnath Yatra always remains a challenge for the government as well as the security agencies yet post Pahalgam attack, the stakes have become quite higher.
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