A government-imposed flying ban that has grounded all helicopter services for the season has resulted in a nearly 20% decline in medical registrations for the annual pilgrimage to Kashmir's Amarnath cave shrine in Punjab. At the Ludhiana civil hospital, only 4,825 prospective pilgrims underwent mandatory health clearances between April 15 and June 3, compared to 5,980 during the same period last year, marking a 19.3% drop.
Reasons Behind the Decline
The significant reduction is attributed to widespread frustration among older devotees and business travellers after the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) declared the mountain routes a 'No Flying Zone' due to security directives. The strenuous high-altitude pilgrimage through the Himalayas to the Amarnath cave shrine begins in July. For affluent business owners and elderly devotees, helicopter transit was the only viable way to complete the arduous journey quickly and safely.
Impact on Business Travellers
Ashwani Kanojia, a 49-year-old local businessman who cancelled his trip, said, 'The lack of helicopter facilities has discouraged many. My friends and I planned to travel by air this year, but dropped the idea. Businessmen prefer helicopters because it allows us to pay our respects and return quickly without disrupting our work.'
Additional Factors
Community leaders also warned that stricter age limits, which bar devotees over 70 from registering, and lingering regional security concerns have further suppressed turnout. Varun Mehta, Malwa Zone Head of the Sanatan Sewa Samiti, stated, 'The suspension of the helicopter service is a major deterrent. There are also underlying security anxieties among devotees that the government must address.'
Optimism for Recovery
Despite the current decline, local organisers remain optimistic that numbers will rebound. Chander Kant Chadha, a spokesperson for the Shiv Sena (UBT), suggested that many pilgrims are simply delaying their medical checks to avoid the chaotic opening-week rush, or are prioritising alternative pilgrimages to Kedarnath and Badrinath.
