Heli-service in Himachal from today amid Covid skepticism

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla June 21

Pawan Hans is all set to resume flights from Chandigarh to Kullu, Dharamsala and Shimla. The heli-taxi service is being run under the Udan-II scheme of the Centre to provide air connectivity to most of the towns. To begin with, those with valid address proof in Himachal Pradesh will be allowed to travel by air and that too after obtaining the mandatory e-pass from the District Magistrate of the area.

The mandatory quarantine guidelines, which require 14-day paid or institutional quarantine for anyone coming from a high-load infected city, will be applicable to all.

However, with people not keen to venture out of their homes unless it’s an emergency situation, there is skepticism on the success of the service. The fare too could prove to be an inhibiting factor as it has been enhanced in view of the fact that only 50 per cent of the seats can be occupied to ensure distancing.

The fare from Chandigarh to Shimla or vice-versa one way is Rs 3,445, Shimla-Kullu vice-versa one way is Rs 3,828, Shimla-Dharamsala or vice-versa one way is Rs 4,785. “Since the 10-seater helicopter will ferry only five persons in one trip as per the standard operating procedure (SOP), the fare has to be revised, otherwise the whole proposition would have been uneconomical,” said an official.

Since the 10-seater helicopter will ferry only five persons in one trip, the fare has to be revised, otherwise the whole proposition will be uneconomical. For the two flights, only three bookings have been made. —An official

Though heli-taxi service was launched as an answer to the limited and erratic air connectivity, there seems to be too many constraints in its smooth functioning. “Pawan Hans is hopeful that people, especially from Kullu-Manali and Kangra, in need of medical exigency of routine treatment will prefer to travel by heli-taxi,” revealed tourism officials. Sources said so far, the response was not good.

For the two flights, only three bookings have been made. The flight between Chandigarh-Shimla-Bhuntar and back will operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays while the one between Chandigarh-Shimla-Kangra will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Those associated with the tourism industry are doubtful about the success of the heli-taxi service in the absence of tourists. “We are happy that there will be an option, but in the absence of tourists, it will be rather difficult to sustain the service,” said a hotelier.

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