Amarnath yatra: Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board reviews heli-service operations

SRINAGAR: With just 10 days left for the commencement of the annual Amarnath yatra, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) today reviewed the status of heli-service operations en route to the 3,880 metre high holy cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, seeking strict adherence of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The review meeting, chaired by Chief Executive Officer of SASB P K Tripathi at Raj Bhavan here, discussed in detail the SOPs with regard to the functioning of heli-services within the parameters of Air Traffic Services, an official spokesman said.

SASB has made arrangements with Pawan Hans Limited and Global Vectra Helicorps Limited for providing heli-services on the Neelgrath-Panjtarni-Neelgrath Sector and the Himalayan Heli Services Private Limited for heli-services on the Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam Sector.

"The one way per passenger heli-fare for Neelgrath-Panjtarni and Pahalgam-Panjtarni has been fixed at Rs 1950 and Rs 4190, respectively," the spokesman said.

He said the Yatris, who wish to avail heli-service, are not required to seek Advance Registration through the designated Bank Branches as their applications for purchasing heli tickets contain the required information and the same shall be treated as Yatra Permits for undertaking the pilgrimage.

However, no such Yatris shall be allowed to board the heli-services unless he produces the required Compulsory Health Certificate issued by an authorised doctor who has been notified by the Government of the State in which he resides, the spokesman said.

"Thus, every heli-travelling Yatri shall have to furnish a Compulsory Health Certificate at the time of boarding the helicopter at Neelgrath or Pahalgam, without which the boarding pass will not be issued to the pilgrims," the spokesman said.