Now, get 70% refund on copter, room booking cancellation

Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 2

In a significant decision, Governor NN Vohra, who is the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, has approved a policy for providing 70 per cent refund to the pilgrims on cancellation of pre-booked online helicopter tickets, and rooms as well as dormitory in the accommodation of the board. The policy has become operational with effect from August 1, 2018.

Earlier, there was no such provision at the shrine board accommodation at Jammu, Katra, Bhawan and other locations. In case of cancellation of online helicopter bookings for travel on the Katra-Sanjichhat-Katra sector, only 50 per cent amount was being refunded. This has been enhanced to 70 per cent now.

The refund will only be available for the pilgrims who cancel their bookings online on the shrine board’s website at least four days in advance of the scheduled date of travel or stay.

Giving details, Dheeraj Gupta, Chief Executive Officer, shrine board, said the pilgrims would now be able to opt for cancellation of their advance bookings of helicopter tickets for travel on the Katra-Sanjichhat-Katra sector and accommodation of the board.

Subsequently, on receipt of such requests, a refund of 70 per cent of the amount would be processed and amount credited through the same mode as used by a particular devotee for bookings.

He said earlier the entire amount of booking for online accommodation was retained as processing charges to prevent en masse online blocking by miscreants. Now, the initiative has been approved by the Governor to provide relief to the yatris while retaining some amount as a deterrent to prevent mass bookings.