**Summary:**
On July 1, 2025, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) conducted a video conference meeting, led by Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav, to review preparedness for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. The meeting included participation from Shri Alok Deepankar, Member Technical NHAI; Shri Bhupinder Kumar, Secretary PWD, Government of JK; Shri Shokit Mattoo ACR Ramban; and officials from NHAI field offices in Jammu and Kashmir. The primary focus was a detailed review of the 228 km Jammu-Srinagar section of NH 44, which falls under NHAI jurisdiction and serves as a crucial route for the Yatra. Discussions encompassed road surface conditions, lane markings, road safety measures, and the deployment of Quick Response Teams equipped with manpower and machinery to address weather-related emergencies. Chairman Yadav stressed the importance of prioritizing the comfort and safety of devotees and commuters, advocating for close collaboration with local administrations. Shri Alok Deepankar instructed field offices to ensure sufficient resources for managing potential flash floods or landslides and to expedite work on ongoing construction, ensuring proper road surfaces and lane markings. As part of its support, NHAI, through Quazigund Expressway Pvt. Ltd., contributed five ambulances to hospitals in the Ramban and Anantnag districts; these ambulances were flagged off for public service by Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor of JK, Shri Manoj Sinha. The meeting underscored NHAI's dedication to ensuring a smooth, safe, and hassle-free Amarnath Yatra.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of national highways.
NHAI: National Highways Authority of India, an autonomous agency of the Government of India responsible for managing the network of National Highways.
Amarnath Yatra: An annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath Temple in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu Srinagar: A section of National Highway 44 that falls on the Yatra route under NHAI jurisdiction.
NH 44: A major National Highway in India.
Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav: Chairman of NHAI.
Government of JK: The government of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir: A union territory of India, location of the Amarnath Yatra.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
NHAI Held Meeting to Review Preparedness for the
Upcoming Amarnath Yatra
Posted On: 01 JUL 2025 7:37PM by PIB Delhi
To expedite preparedness and ensure smooth travel experience for the pilgrims of the upcoming ‘Amarnath
Yatra’, a review meeting through Video Conferencing was held today by NHAI with the officials from state
administration. Detailed reviews were held of all stretches of 228 km long Jammu – Srinagar section of NH-
44 that falls on the Yatra route under NHAI jurisdiction.
The initiative was led by NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav. Shri Alok Deepankar, Member
(Technical) NHAI; Shri Bhupinder Kumar, Secretary PWD, Government of J&K, Shri Shokit Mattoo ACR
Ramban; Officials from NHAI field offices from Jammu and Kashmir also attended the meeting.
The meeting aimed to review preparedness related to riding surface, lane markings, installing road safety
measures as well as deployment of dedicated Quick Response Teams with sufficient manpower and machines
to mitigate situations arising due to adverse weather conditions in the region during yatra.
Addressing the meeting, NHAI Chairman Shri Santosh Kumar Yadav emphasized that the comfort and safety
of both devotees and commuters should be the utmost priority. He also directed NHAI officials to work in
close coordination with local administrations and provide prompt support for the yatra preparedness.
Shri Alok Deepankar, Member (Technical), NHAI instructed NHAI field offices to ensure adequate
deployment of manpower and machinery to manage any eventuality due to bad weather such as flash floods or
landslides. He also directed officials to expedite work on the under-construction sections and ensure proper
road surfaces, lane marking for the safety and security of the pilgrims and other commuters.
As a part of the preparations, NHAI contributed a fleet of five ambulances through Quazigund Expressway
Pvt. Ltd. for hospitals in Ramban & Anantnag districts. Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Shri Manoj
Sinha flagged off the ambulances for public service today.
The preparedness review meeting reflected the spirit of cooperation between various government agencies,
showcasing NHAI’s commitment to facilitating a smooth, safe and hassle-free Amarnath Yatra for devotees.
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SR/GDH/SJ
(Release ID: 2141346)