Helicopter fares for Amarnath Yatra pilgrims slashed

JAMMU: In good news for Amarnath Yatra pilgrims this year, helicopter fares have been reduced by over 40 percent on Baltal-Panjtarni route and by over 35 percent on Pahalgam-Panjtarni route.

"At a time when air fares are going up all over the world, there is some extremely good news for the devotees who wish to undertake Amarnathji Yatra in 2012. The helicopter fare for pilgrims, who wish to undertake the Yatra this year, has been reduced by over 40 percent on Baltal-Panjtarni route and by over 35 percent on Pahalgam-Panjtarni route", an official spokesman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board said today.

One way helicopter fare from Baltal-Panjtarni has been reduced from Rs 2,425 per passenger in 2011 to Rs 1,445 per passenger for the coming Yatra, he said.

Similarly, helicopter fare from Pahalgam to Panjtarni route has been reduced from Rs 3,495 in 2011 to Rs 2,355 per passenger for 2012 Yatra, he said.