The Municipal Committee (MC) Pahalgam has intensified preparations for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, deploying additional sanitation workers, upgrading civic infrastructure and planning new facilities to manage the expected surge in pilgrims and tourists.
The annual pilgrimage will begin on July 3 and conclude on August 28. The civic body said it would provide sanitation services at both the Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps, besides managing the increased footfall in Pahalgam town during the pilgrimage.
Over 147 sanitation workers will be deployed in three shifts to ensure round-the-clock cleanliness and waste management throughout the Yatra, according to the committee. Apart from sanitation, the Municipal Committee officials said it would oversee illumination, beautification and aesthetic improvements in the town and provide support for traffic management along the pilgrimage route. The civic body has also initiated measures aimed at improving the welfare of sanitation workers engaged during the pilgrimage. Accommodation for sanitation workers is being constructed in Pahalgam town, while a dedicated shelter is coming up at the Chandanwari base camp to provide better working conditions and essential facilities.
Suhail Malik, CEO of Municipal Committee Pahlagm said the initiative is intended to improve the workers’ well-being and operational efficiency during the Yatra.
“As part of its long-term infrastructure plans, the committee has proposed the construction of a multi-level parking facility to address the growing demand for parking in Pahalgam, which witnesses a sharp increase in traffic during the pilgrimage season and the peak tourist period”, said Malik.
According to Malik, the proposed project is aimed at easing congestion, improving traffic management and enhancing visitor convenience as tourist arrivals and pilgrim numbers continue to rise. Pahalgam serves as the traditional base camp for pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra and strengthening urban infrastructure is necessary to meet the town’s growing tourism and pilgrimage requirements in the coming years.
Malik said the Committee’s preparations are focused on maintaining sanitation, improving civic amenities and ensuring efficient management of public services during the Yatra, while simultaneously investing in infrastructure designed to support the town’s long-term development.
He said help desks and dedicated counters are being set up to distribute eco-friendly alternatives to plastic and polythene as part of efforts to ensure a zero-waste pilgrimage. The annual Amarnath Yatra attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from across the country, placing significant pressure on civic infrastructure and public services in Pahalgam and along the pilgrimage route.
