In a major boost to public infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) is developing modern Disaster Management and Yatri Niwas complexes at four strategic locations – Baltal, Nunwan, Bijbehara, and Sidhra – under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
These facilities are being created in partnership with the ‘Shri Amarnath Ji shrine Board’ and will be managed by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. Designed to support over five lakh pilgrims who undertake the Amarnath Yatra annually, the infrastructure will also serve the local population throughout the year by offering safe lodging, sanitation, and emergency services.
The Baltal Yatri Niwas and Disaster Management Complex, spanning 6,315 square metres, is now fully operational. It includes a Yatri Niwas, VIP guest house, security infrastructure, and a dedicated disaster-response unit. This facility will be formally inaugurated on 4 July 2025 by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in the presence of ONGC Chairman and CEO Mr Arun Kumar Singh.
Construction at the Nunwan (8,500 sq. m) and Bijbehara (7,640 sq. m) sites is progressing steadily, with both expected to be completed by September 2025. Meanwhile, the Sidhra complex in Jammu, envisioned as a key hub for boarding, emergency response, and logistical operations, is targeted for completion by September 2026.
In a parallel healthcare initiative during 2024, ONGC also constructed two permanent 100-bed hospitals at Baltal (Ganderbal) and Chandanwari (Anantnag). Developed in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir Government, these facilities – equipped with ICUs and staff accommodations – have replaced temporary medical camps and now function as year-round Primary Health Centres serving both yatris and local residents.
ONGC’s infrastructure projects reaffirm its commitment to community development and emergency preparedness in the region, ensuring a safer and more comfortable pilgrimage and living experience in the Himalayan belt.
A Journey of Faith Meets a Mission of Support
Every year, over five lakh pilgrims embark on the treacherous climb to the Amarnath cave shrine. Facing extreme cold, rugged terrain, and high altitudes, the Yatra tests physical endurance and spiritual devotion. Recognising the gravity of this endeavor, ONGC has launched multiple long-term projects aimed at easing the burden on devotees and local administrators alike.
As #AmarnathYatra begins today, #ONGC reaffirms its commitment to resilient infrastructure, dependable services, and a deep sense of public duty.
— Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) (@ONGC_) July 3, 2025
Each year, over 5 lakh devotees brave steep ascents, biting cold, and unpredictable terrain to undertake this journey of faith in the… pic.twitter.com/PEcXOE8VDO
About ONGC
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) is India’s largest government-owned oil and gas exploration and production company. Founded in 1956 and headquartered in New Delhi, ONGC operates under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. It plays a critical role in meeting India’s energy needs, contributing around 70% of the country’s crude oil and over 60% of its natural gas production.
