While the Amarnath yatris are eagerly looking forward to the 25th of June, the day they will embark on their religious journey, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and the Union Home Ministry are making good use of time to ensure a better experience for the yatris. In one such effort they have announced the launch of a special pre-paid SIM that will have a precise validity of seven days. This service will be provided by BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) and other private operators will only provide inter- connectivity through a mutual agreement.
Pre paid mobile connections of other states are non operational in Jammu and Kashmir, due to security reasons. And this time around in a meeting conducted by the Union Home Ministry revealed that most of the pilgrims undertaking the yatra own pre paid connections, therefore, it is imperative to give them the option of having a pre paid SIM that will work throughout the yatra.
On their arrival in Pahalgam or Baltal, the yatris will be provided with these SIM cards. They will have to submit photocopies of their residential proof and also their UID (unique identity number). As already stated, the SIM will remain valid for only seven days, after which users will be unable to recharge it.