Centre nod to subsidised airfare at six heliports

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 9

The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has given a nod to provide subsidised airfare for flights to be launched from six heliports across the state for improving connectivity, a pre-requisite for promoting tourism.

“We have got the approval for the launch of flights from the six heliports under Udaan–II from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation,” said Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism and Urban Development. He said the ministry had also agreed to fund the construction of heliports at all six locations and Pawan Hans had been asked to prepare a detailed project report (DPR).

The Centre’s approval for providing viability gap funding for these flights connecting various locations within the state will help reduce the airfares, making them affordable for everyone. The Civil Aviation Ministry will fund the construction of six heliports at Kangnidhar in Mandi, Manali, Baddi in Solan, Sarahan and Rampur in Shimla. The sixth flight will operate from Gaggal airport, where a full-fledged airport already exists.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said the promotion of tourism was one of the top priorities of his government and with the Centre agreeing to provide subsidised airfares, the tourism in the state was bound to gain. “We want to provide reliable air connectivity and good infrastructure so that tourism can become the backbone of the people even in the interior parts of the state,” he said.

The flights under Udaan II will connect Chandigarh-Baddi-Shimla, Shimla-Rampur-Nathpa, Shimla-Kangnidhar-Manali and Shimla-Gaggal. Efforts are on to link Dalhousie and Chamba also under the scheme.

Besides, the government has also decided to increase the frequency of the heli-taxi service between Shimla and Chandigarh from twice a week on Monday and Friday to alternate days. The Tourism Department in collaboration with Pawan Hans is operating an 18 seater heli-taxi service between Shimla and Chandigarh with the help of the government helicopter used by the Chief Minister and the Governor.

The Tourism Department is hopeful that the construction of the heliport at Sanjauli will be completed by December, which will help run the Shimla-Chandigarh heli-taxi from the outskirts. At present, the service is being run from the Jubbarhatti airport, 23 km from here, which can prove to be a hindrance in sustaining the flights throughout the year.

The Tourism Department is holding talks with helicopter operator companies to start joyrides for tourists at various locations such as Manali and Rohtang.

Rohtang mountain ride soon

After launching a helicopter service between Shimla and Chandigarh, the state is going to start a mountain ride between Manali and the majestic Rohtang Pass, which remained marooned in snowfall almost round the year.