With over 80 pilgrims having died due heart attacks enroute cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas, the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) on Sunday appealed to them to have medical tests done before undertaking the arduous yatra.
“We urge all pilgrims to have themselves medically examined and no one with any orthopaedic problem, chest or lung ailment or any cardiac deficiency should undertake the arduous Yatra, involving trekking up to 14,000 feet,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SASB, R K Goyal said.
The advisory was issued to the pilgrims in view of increasing deaths due to heart attack during pilgrimage to cave shrine via two routes of Baltal and Pahalgam during the 26 days yatra.
“It is tragic that such a large number of pilgrims have died. In view of these deaths, we are planning to upgrade medicare facilities next year,” SASB member and Chairman of Amarnath yatra sub-committee Sri Sri Ravi Shanker said.
