J&K doubles down on the need for compulsory health certificates for Amarnath Yatra pilgrims
A representative image of Amarnath pilgrimage by the Department of Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir featuring photographs | X/@JandKTourism
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has requested ten states and union territories to appoint doctors to provide Compulsory Health Certificates (CHCs) for pilgrims going on the Amarnath Yatra from 3 July to 9 August.
This measure ensures that only those who are medically fit participate in the challenging pilgrimage.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo held a meeting with Health Secretaries from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Maharashtra to discuss the CHC process.
Senior officials, including the Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor and Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, CEO of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), also joined the meeting.
Dulloo instructed the Health Department to organise sessions to train the doctors who will issue the certificates.
He stressed the importance of thorough health checks to avoid risks, especially for individuals with existing health issues that could make them unsuitable for the journey.
“Doctors must ensure that only physically fit individuals receive health certificates,” he said. “Having medical staff in place across the states will help in assessing applicants properly.”
He mentioned a ruling from the Supreme Court in 2012, which requires that CHCs be issued only by designated medical officers in a specific format for legal consistency.
Dr Bhandari pointed out previous mistakes. He said that unfit pilgrims were given health certificates, which led to serious consequences.
He recalled the 2012 Amarnath Yatra, where over 100 pilgrims lost their lives due to health problems resulting from low oxygen levels, sudden temperature drops, and difficult terrain at high altitudes.
To improve accountability, doctors now need to issue CHCs that include their official designation, name, address, and National Medical Council (NMC) registration number.
States are required to send in lists of nominated doctors by 5 April 2025 for better coordination. Registration for the yatra will begin on 14 April 2025, and pilgrims can register through certain banks both online and offline.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will send 1,415 doctors to Jammu and Kashmir on a rotating basis during the yatra.
Tourism