NDA government to implement chopper services in remote parts of Jammu and Kashmir

NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi led NDA government is all set to implement a long-pending decision of using helicopter services in Jammu and Kashmir, an idea that was born under the UPA regime. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), led by Rajnath Singh, is planning to move a cabinet note giving Rs 50 crore to Jammu and Kashmir for starting chopper services in remote parts of the valley with the aim to improve connectivity and boost tourism, said officials familiar with the matter.

“Once launched, we also plan to extend the chopper services to operate paid sor-ties from Gulmarg to Mount Apharwat, Sunshine Peak and Tosa Maidan in Budgam district to encourage tourism.

The home ministry, however, plans to fix the number of flying hours in each region between 400 and 1400 hours per annum,” said a senior government official. “The flying hours are fixed annually in order to restrict the subsidy. However, the state governments are permitted to operate helicopter services in excess of the ceiling on flying hours. After adjusting the central subsidy, the rest of the cost of operating helicopter services is met by the state government,” he added. At a meeting of Northern Zonal Council held last month, a decision was also taken to start helicopter services in remote parts of Himachal Pradesh which had been cleared by the inter-state council, said sources. The chopper services will be subsidised by the Centre with contributions of up to 75%, said a senior official.

The home ministry is planning to charge less than RS 1,500 per passenger after this subsidy, and feels that the state government should also chip in to make it an ‘effective’ and ‘visible’ mode of transport.