Now comes the good news for all those who want to plan a trip to Kedarnath, but not able to get tickets, as two more companies from Sersi were given the job of heli services. Now, these services by a total of nine companies will offer relief to the tourist in terms of the long wait for a ticket. Also, online booking is likely to start of Haley services all the way through GMVA.
UCADA, i.e. Uttarakhand, Civil Aviation Development Authority, completed the tender process of helicopter services. They gave nine companies to operate heli services from Guptukashi, Fata and Sarsi. However, two firms refused to operate heli services because of the fixed fares by the government; thus, UCADA proposed the tender again.
On the other hand, the government is awaiting DGCA approval for Kedarnath and enhancing heli services. The time permission is received, the Charted Helipah services will be accessible to the tourists for Kedarnath from Dehradun along with other places too very soon.
Every year UCADA, i.e. Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Department Authority launch tender dates on their official site in terms of Helicopter services in Char Dham Yatra routes of Uttarakhand. The companies who got selected in tender bids has been given the permission and authority to offer Helicopter services for a specific time period in a specific region.
After the completion of the tender process, two more companies have been given heli services for Kedarnath. Booking of online tickets will be started on Monday from GMVN website. Among these seven aviation companies, one has been permitted for Sirsi- Kedarnath route, two on Guptkashi – Kedarnath route as well as four on Phata-Kedarnath route.
In 2018 chopper ride from Phata – Kedarnath route was about 3350 rupees per person. Now it has been brought down to just 2399 rupees. On Sirsi- Kedarnath route the fare in 2018 was 3175 rupees, and now it is reduced to 2470 rupees. From Guptkashi- Kedarnath route is about 4275 rupees.
The chopper rates have been reduced this year by keeping in mind the high number of pilgrims.
Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and is situated at the height of 3553 m. It is the part of Char Dham Yatra of Uttrakhand and is not easily accessible by all pilgrims. The road towards Kedarnath only stretches till Gauri Kund, and the only way to reach the main temple is about 18 km trek from Gauri Kund. There are many people who enjoy reaching the temple by trekking, but for the people who are aged and who cannot travel the long trek, heli services are the best option.
These helicopter services have now the most preferred option for pilgrims who don’t want to reach Kedarnath all the way through road.