Kedarnath Helicopter Services To Resume From Today, Pilgrims To Get Discount On Chopper Fares

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed relief and rescue operations in Rudraprayag district, which was affected by heavy rains that triggered a landslide in the region, and inspected reconstruction work.

The helicopter services for Kedarnath Yatra 2024 will resume from Wednesday, said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, adding that there will be a concession of 25 per cent on the chopper fares. 

On Tuesday, the Chief Minister reviewed the relief and rescue operations in Rudraprayag district, which was affected by heavy rains that triggered a landslide in the region, and inspected reconstruction work.

Talking to the media after the meeting, Dhami said that footpaths and roads have been cut off at 29 places due to landslides caused by heavy rains. 

"Apart from this, a large number of government properties including drinking water and electricity lines were also damaged. Telecommunication services have also been disrupted in some places," he said. 

Since the incident of heavy rainfall, the district administration, disaster management and other organizations including SDRF, DDRF, NDRF and public representatives, the Panda community, pilgrimage priests, and organisations related to religious and social concerns have worked wholeheartedly in this rescue operation to take the devotees stranded in this disaster to safe places, the Chief Minister added. 

He also inquired about the efforts and preparations undertaken by all the departments to start the Yatra and directed the officials to take necessary steps to normalise life in the affected areas. 

During the meeting, Dhami directed that the damaged routes, drinking water and power lines should be restored as soon as possible. 

He also directed us to start the Kedarnath Dham footpath route soon and instructed us to resume the helicopter service for Kedarnath Dham from Wednesday.

Dhami said that the pilgrims arriving for darshan through helicopter service will be given a 25 per cent discount on the fare, which will be borne by the state government. He also appealed for suggestions and cooperation from local people in the work to be done to start the yatra. 

The Chief Minister heard the problems raised by the local people during his interaction with them at Rampur GMVN and assured solutions to all the problems of the affected. He expressed his gratitude to the local people for their cooperation in the rescue operation carried out by the government and the administration. 

He also thanked the central government and said that after the heavy rains, the central government provided all possible assistance including Chinook and MI helicopters.