Vadodara: Following the recent terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, there has been a noticeable decline in interest in the Amarnath Yatra, particularly in the number of people seeking the health certificates required for the pilgrimage.

Jamnabhai Hospital in the old city area, responsible for issuing fitness certificates to prospective pilgrims, reported a sharp drop in foot traffic after the attack. These certificates are mandatory before pilgrims can register at designated banks in the city that have access to the official registration portal for the yatra.

The hospital initially saw a significant influx of applicants for health certificates, with 288 visitors on April 11, 302 on April 15, and 165 on April 16. However, from Tuesday onwards, the numbers sharply declined, dropping to 67 on Tuesday, 53 on Wednesday, and just 20 on Thursday. Hospital officials noted that while a decrease in footfall after the initial surge is typical, the sudden drop on Thursday was unexpected and linked to growing security concerns.

An official from the Amarnath Yatra Sangh, which organizes the pilgrimage, confirmed the change in sentiment, saying that there was a significant rush before the attack, but now even those who have already registered are expressing concerns. However, the yatra will proceed as planned in July, and comprehensive security measures will be in place. The Yatra Sangh has urged people not to cancel their plans because of these incidents. DeshGujarat