Srinagar, Jun 23: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has appointed two senior IAS officers as Nodal Officers for the smooth and coordinated conduct of the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra-2026, scheduled to commence on July 3.
According to Government Order No. 1108-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated June 22, issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), the appointments have been made in addition to the officers’ existing responsibilities to strengthen coordination and oversight of arrangements along the two pilgrimage routes.
As per the order, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports Department, has been designated as the Nodal Officer for the Pahalgam Axis, the traditional route of the annual pilgrimage.
Similarly, Rahul Yadav, Managing Director of Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC), who is also holding additional charge of Jammu and Kashmir Power Corporation Limited (JKPCL), has been appointed as the Nodal Officer for the Baltal Axis.
The government has tasked both officers with closely monitoring all arrangements related to the Yatra and ensuring effective coordination among the departments and agencies involved in its conduct.
The order further directs the officers to maintain regular liaison with the Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) and keep the Board informed about the status of preparations and issues requiring intervention.
The appointments are aimed at strengthening inter-departmental coordination and ensuring seamless management of logistics, infrastructure, public utilities, safety measures and other essential services for the lakhs of pilgrims expected to undertake the annual pilgrimage.
The 57-day Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to begin on July 3 from the twin routes of Pahalgam in south Kashmir and Baltal in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and conclude on August 28.
