Amarnath Yatra sets example in Waste Management with 100% processing of daily 11.67 MT waste

Srinagar: In a remarkable display of sustainable pilgrimage management, the Amarnath Yatra 2025 has emerged as a benchmark for waste segregation and processing, with an impressive 100% of the 11.67 metric tons of daily waste being scientifically managed.

According to data released by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), the daily waste generated during the pilgrimage included approximately 3.67 metric tons of dry waste and 7.83 metric tons of wet waste. A robust and well-planned waste collection system ensured that not a single scrap was left unmanaged along the holy trail.

A total of 1,016 twin-bin stations—color-coded blue for dry and green for wet waste—were strategically installed along the Yatra route. In a thoughtful step towards gender-sensitive sanitation, dedicated sanitary waste bins were also placed near female toilet facilities.

Supporting this extensive infrastructure were 65 garbage collection vehicles, many of them twin-compartment trucks designed to transport segregated waste directly to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and composting pits. This logistical network was pivotal in ensuring that waste was not only collected efficiently but also transported without cross-contamination.

Ensuring round-the-clock cleanliness were nearly 1,300 Safai Mitras, deployed at critical points along the route. Their tireless efforts, combined with continuous monitoring by local authorities, played a key role in maintaining hygiene and sanitation throughout the Yatra period.

Environmentalists and public health experts have lauded the initiative as a model for managing high-footfall events in ecologically sensitive zones. The successful waste management strategy not only minimized the Yatra’s ecological footprint but also underscored the power of community, planning, and technology in preserving the sanctity of the pilgrimage.

The Amarnath Yatra’s waste management success story is now being viewed as a blueprint for other mass gatherings across the country. This ensured that all necessary sanitation protocols were in place to support the large number of yatris undertaking the sacred pilgrimage.

To cater to hygiene needs across the pilgrimage route, over 1600 mobile toilets were installed—each cleaned twice daily by designated sanitation teams. Real-time user feedback via QR codes brought over 20,000 responses, ensuring swift improvements and high service standards.