No online booking for heli-taxis this year

Our Correspondent
Bharmour, July 19

Chamba Deputy Commissioner Vivek Bhatia on Friday said online booking for the heli-taxi service during the Manimahesh pilgrimage, beginning from August 24, had been stopped from this year. Bookingswould now be made on the spot on a first-come, first-served basis.

He was presiding over a meeting of the Sri Manimahesh Trust here to discuss arrangements for the pilgrimage. “Stringent action will be taken if anyone was found selling the tickets on the black market. The heli-taxi operator violating the order will also be blacklisted,” said the DC.He also spoke about starting the heli-taxi service from the district headquarters of Chamba.

According to information, the pilgrimage itinerary had been divided into 13 sectors. Adequate number of officials and other employees would be deployed for smooth conduct of the yatra.

The DC said 80 langars (community kitchens) would be permitted at different places. However, the Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Bharmour, had been asked to obtain an affidavit from the langar organisers for the same.

He said no community kitchen would be allowed near the Manimahesh lake and the itinerary and Bharmour and Bharmani temples. The use of only steel utensils would be allowed.

Bhatia said donation boxes would also be installed.