Ludhiana: A year after the Pahalgam terror attack impacted the turnout for the Amarnath Yatra, registrations by pilgrims have risen significantly, with more devotees getting themselves registered and completing mandatory medical examinations at the civil hospital.Health officials said the number of pilgrims undergoing medical tests at the civil hospital this year is substantially higher than the figure recorded during the corresponding period last year. As per official data, 2,385 pilgrims registered for medical certificates at the civil hospital between April 15 — when the registration process began this year — and April 20. In comparison, 1,928 pilgrims registered during the same period last year, reflecting an increase of 23.7%.Although the registration process started on April 11 last year, officials noted a sharp rise in daily registrations this year. On April 15, 630 pilgrims registered for medical certification, compared to 317 on the same date last year. Officials added that even the lowest daily registration figure this year, recorded at 289 between April 15 and 20, was significantly higher than the corresponding lowest figure of 198 last year.Health officials said elaborate arrangements have been made at the civil hospital to facilitate Amarnath Yatra medical examinations. SMO, civil hospital, Dr Akhil Sareen said dedicated teams comprising medical specialists, medical officers, staff nurses, DRP doctors, interns, nursing students, ward attendants and security personnel have been deployed to manage the process.He added that a one-stop centre for Amarnath Yatra medical examinations has been set up under one roof. Explaining the process, Dr Sareen said applicants first obtain a token, complete registration at designated counters, undergo ECG screening, and finally report at the medical examination counter. Seating arrangements have been made, along with separate washrooms and access to clean drinking water, he added.Religious leaders attributed the rise in registrations to renewed enthusiasm among devotees. Varun Mehta, Malwa zone head of Sanatan Sewa Samiti, said devotees who could not undertake the pilgrimage last year due to the terror incident were eager to go this time. He also noted growing interest among youngsters above 18 years of age, driven largely by social media exposure to Yatra-related images and videos.Mehta said his son, Rudra, would also go on the Yatra this year with friends, for which he is undergoing his medical examination. He added that the number of pilgrims this year could reach 17,000 to 18,000.Pilgrims at the civil hospital echoed similar sentiments. Bhavesh Singh Rajput, who came for a medical examination with his mother Rajni Bala (54), said arrangements were noticeably better this year and the process was completed within minutes. Manu Bagga (30) of Gandhi Nagar said he was eagerly awaiting the pilgrimage after missing it last year and expected more friends to join this time.Can be added as boxes:DateNumber of registrations for medical examination at Civil Hospital in Ludhiana in 2025Number of registrations for medical examination at Civil Hospital in Ludhiana in 2026April 1531763016544594171985081844028919429Off Day20Off Day364Total19282385 Box 2: Number of registrations had dropped last year after Pahalgam terror attack.Date – Number of registrations done at Civil Hospital24 April 2025 – 16425 April 2025- 1826 April 2025 – 2028 April 2025- 1829 April 2025 – 1330 April 2025 – 8
