Uttarakhand CM Dhami launches Dehradun-Almora helicopter service, inaugurates passenger terminal building

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], October 10 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday inaugurated the Passenger Terminal Building at Sahastradhara Heliport and launched the Dehradun-Almora Helicopter Service.
On this occasion, CM Dhami announced the start of air service from Sahastradhara Helaport to three new places in the state, Yamunotri, Gauchar and Joshiyara. These will be operated under the Chief Minister Udan Khatola Yojana under Uttarakhand Air Connectivity. CM Dhami also interacted with the passengers connected virtually from Almora.
CM Dhami said that the state government has been trying for this air service for a long time and today Sahastradhara helipad has also been expanded in Dehradun. He said that even before the start of Almora-Dehradun service, services of Chinyalisaur, Gauchar, Munsyari, Srinagar, Haldwani, Pithoragarh are running in the state. "Everyone will definitely benefit from these services" Dhami added.
CM Dhami said that under the Udan Khatola Yojana, the helicopter service between Dehradun and Almora will promote tourism, economy, employment and self-employment, while our women power who are making products will also definitely benefit from it. CM Dhami said that along with better connectivity, this service will also bring a better change in the lives of all of us.
CM Dhami said that Almora is one of the ancient cities of the state. It has its own historical and cultural importance. Jageshwar Dham, Chitai Goljyu Ka Sthan, Katarmal Surya Mandir are many such places here which are the center of faith of the people and are here. Important places like Nanda Devi Temple also make Almora special. He said that with this helicopter service, tourists will now be able to go to Almora easily. Till now this journey was a bit longer by road, but with the start of this service, people will now have ease.
CM Dhami said that today under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, air services in the country are being modernized as well as indigenized, while on the other hand, common citizens should also get this service, especially for a state like ours with difficult geographical conditions, these helicopter services are very important. There was a time when rail service was given priority in the entire country, but for some time now, air service has become a major mode of transport and it is also becoming very popular among the people.
CM Dhami said that all this has been possible due to the long-term thinking of the PM Modi. He said that this terminal was expanded in a very wonderful way. It was established during the disaster. With the guidance of the PM Modi and the cooperation of the Government of India, the Civil Aviation Department of the state has done efficiently in this area.
CM Dhami said that under the 'Udaan' scheme of the Government of India, good service is being provided in various areas of the state. The state government is trying to provide every kind of facility in transportation to the devotees and tourists in the coming time and our air service has the most important role in this. He said that we are also making Jolly Grant Airport of international standard. New terminals have already been inaugurated there. Today air services are running from Jolly Grant to all the major cities of the country. Along with this, more than 800 acres of land has been transferred to the Civil Aviation Ministry for the expansion of Pantnagar Airport. All its processes have been completed.
CM Dhami said that during his meeting with the Prime Minister, he requested that our airstrip of Chinyalisaur should also be operated properly. Apart from this, trial landing is being done for Pithoragarh. Two trial landings have been done from Delhi to Pithoragarh and one more landing will be done, which will be a big task. He said that after the Prime Minister's visit to Adi Kailash, Jageshwar Dham, the number of devotees is continuously increasing there. He said that the state government is working with determination to expand heli services in the state as much as possible.
The newly constructed passenger terminal building at Sahastradhara heliport is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Presently, this building has been designed keeping in mind the ever increasing number of passengers. The government has invested Rs 2482.96 lakh in its construction. This building has a seating capacity of about 400 passengers at a time. In which many modern facilities have been included for the convenience of the passengers. Service will be provided on this route through double engine helicopter of Pawan Hans Limited. With this scheme, common citizens/tourists of Uttarakhand state, especially Kumaon region, will get the benefit of helicopter service at cheap rates. This helicopter service will operate 06 days a week, the fare of which has been fixed at Rs 4989 per person, which will take about 55 minutes.