Heli-taxi services from Himachal's Dhalli okayed

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given nod to commence heli- taxi services from Dhalli heliport, situated on the outskirts of Shimla.

An indication to this effect was given by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on his return from Delhi, yesterday. “Our efforts have yielded positive results. We have been given permission to start heli-taxi services from the Dhalli heliport,” said Sukhu, adding that Shimla to Chandigarh and Rampur to Chandigarh flights would commence soon.

At present, the Dhalli heliport is being used by VIPs for chartered flights. Since the Jubbarhatti airport is located 25 km from the state capital, people prefer to travel to Chandigarh to catch a flight, especially in view of the erratic and undependable nature of flights from Jubbarhatti.

The DGCA had pointed out several shortcomings eversince the Dhalli heliport was constructed, which had been addressed by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation. However, the nod from the DGCA had been delayed, resulting in the facility remaining unused.

On January 13, 2022, the heliport was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. Constructed at a cost of Rs 18 crore, the heliport is spread over 10.3 bigha.

The three-storey heliport has all modern facilities, including a reception, ticket counter and a VIP lounge. It also has porta cabin facilities for passengers, parking space for 50 vehicles, helicopter decks and safety nets.

Starting of heli-taxi services would give a major boost to tourism in the state. Moreover, there are only three airports in Himachal at Bhuntar in Kullu, Gaggal in Kangra and Jubbarhatti in Shimla where only 42-seater ATR planes can land due to shorter runways.

Tourism stakeholders have been demanding heli-taxi services, especially to attract the high-end tourists. The state government had proposed to set up 15 heliports, including at Jaskot (Hamirpur), Rakkar (Kangra), Sultanpur (Chamba), Alloo Ground (Manali), Jispa, Rangrik, Sissu (Lahaul and Spiti) and Sharbo (Kinnaur).

The task of preparing the detailed project reports (DPRs) of the heliports to be set up in Phase I along with pre-feasibility study, site study and surveys for topographical and obstacles limitation had been entrusted to Pawan Hans Limited.

In the Phase II, heliports would be set up at Auhar (Bilaspur), Dharkiyari (Sirmaur), Chanshal Dhar (Shimla), Jankaur Haar (Una), Galanag (Solan), Killar and Holi (Chamba).

Inaugurated in 2022

The heliport was inaugurated by former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur in 2022

Constructed at a cost of Rs 18 crore, the heliport is spread over 10.3 bigha

The DGCA had pointed out several shortcomings at

the heliport

It has all modern facilities, including a reception, ticket counter and a VIP lounge