Operationalized: 260 heli routes
The 4 round of bidding under Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) is under progress to connect high priority regions in the north covering hilly states, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Islands) for the masses.
This was announced on 8 Feb 2020 by Civil Aviation Ministry following the launch of first helicopter services from Dehradun’s Sahastradhara helipad to Gauchar, and Chinyalisaur under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) of the Government.
The Ministry said Pawan Hans Limited (PHL) is also to commence the operations under UDAN from Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun to New Tehri, Srinagar (Chamoli) and Gauchar in the near future.
Uttrakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola inaugurated the Dehradun-Gauchar-Chinyalisaur heli routes in the region to enhance the aerial connectivity of the hilly areas in the country.
The Ministry awarded the Sahastradhara-Gauchar-Chinyalisaur route to Heritage Aviation under the UDAN 2 bidding process.
Heritage Aviation will operate the first helicopter services from Sahastradhara to Gauchar and Chinyalisaur twice daily.
Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is provided under UDAN to keep the fares affordable for the common people.
The Uttrakhand Government is also providing additional incentives to make the scheme more attractive.
The helicopter services from the Sahastradhara helipad to Gauchar and Chinyalisaur had been the long pending demand of the people residing in the hilly areas, noted the Ministry.
The services on this route will boost the tourism sector in the Uttrakhand region and assist the Chaar Dhaam Yatra pilgrims as Gauchar is en route to Badrinath and Chinyalisaur is en route to Gangotri in the Uttarkashi district.
Heli services under UDAN are currently being operationalised between Chandigarh to Shimla, Shimla to Dharamshala and Shimla to Kullu.
With the commencement of the Sahastradhara-Gauchar-Chinyalisaur route, the Ministry has operationalized 260 routes under UDAN. fiinews.com
