20% Decline in Amarnath Yatra Registrations from Punjab Due to Helicopter Ban
Amarnath Yatra registrations dive 20% in Punjab as govt grounds helicopters.
Image: The Times Of India
In Punjab, registrations for the Amarnath Yatra have dropped by nearly 20% after a government ban on helicopter services. This has particularly affected older pilgrims and business travelers who relied on air travel for the pilgrimage, raising concerns about accessibility and security.
- 01Medical registrations for the Amarnath Yatra in Punjab fell to 4,825 from 5,980 compared to last year, marking a 19.3% decrease.
- 02The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board declared the mountain routes a 'No Flying Zone' due to security directives, impacting helicopter services.
- 03Community leaders express concerns over stricter age limits for registration and ongoing security issues discouraging participation.
- 04Local organizers believe that some pilgrims may be delaying their medical checks to avoid rush, or choosing other pilgrimage destinations like Kedarnath and Badrinath.
- 05Businessmen have voiced frustration as helicopter services allowed them to complete the pilgrimage quickly without disrupting work schedules.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
In Punjab, the annual Amarnath Yatra has seen a significant decline in registrations, with a nearly 20% drop attributed to a government ban on helicopter services. Between April 15 and June 3, only 4,825 pilgrims received health clearances, down from 5,980 in the same period last year. The ban, imposed by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) due to security directives, has particularly impacted older devotees and business travelers who relied on helicopters for a quicker and safer journey to the Amarnath cave shrine in Kashmir. Community leaders have raised concerns about stricter age limits preventing those over 70 from registering and ongoing security issues that deter participation. Despite these challenges, some local organizers remain hopeful that registration numbers may rebound as pilgrims might be postponing their medical checks to avoid the initial rush or opting for alternative pilgrimage sites such as Kedarnath and Badrinath. The pilgrimage season begins in July, and the situation continues to evolve as devotees seek ways to navigate these restrictions.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The decline in registrations could affect local businesses that cater to pilgrims, as fewer travelers may lead to reduced economic activity in the region.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What do you think about the helicopter ban affecting Amarnath Yatra registrations?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.