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NEW DELHI: The ministry of home affairs (MHA), keen to promote internal air connectivity between various districts of Jammu and Kashmir, has approved continuation of subsidised helicopter services along five routes within the Union territory for a five-year period from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2026.
In a communication sent to the J&K chief secretary on November 18, the home ministry said the competent authority had given its nod for continuation of chopper services on five approved routes, that is, Kishtwar-Sounder-Navapachi-Ishan-Kishtwar, Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch-Jammu, Jammu-Doda-Kishtwar-Jammu, Bandipora-Kanzalwan-Dawar-Niri-Bandipora, and Kupwara-Machil-Tangdhar-Keran-Kupwara.
The ministry of home affairs shall provide a subsidy equal to either 75% of total cost of operation after deducting passenger recovery or flat 20% of actual operation cost, whichever is more. The remaining cost will be borne by J&K government.
“The idea is to promote internal air connectivity between far-flung areas of J&K, as desired by both the home ministry and J&K government. The subsidised chopper services may be used for medical evacuation and other emergencies,” a J&K government officer told TOI.
MHA in its letter to J&K chief secretary said it may increase or decrease the number of helicopters or flying hours and also start helicopter services on additional routes within the approved financial outlays, which put year-wise central share of operational cost at Rs 6.24 crore from 2021-22 to 2023-24, Rs 7.5 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 8.13 crore in 2025-26. The central share will be paid directly by MHA to the helicopter operators.
A tendering process for engaging helicopter operators may be done either directly by MHA or by J&K government with the tender documents being vetted by MHA.
There shall be no restriction for the private sector to operate helicopter services on the existing routes without any subsidy.
VIPs, officers of Central or J&K government or tourists will not be eligible for subsidised fares and must pay the full fare subject to availability of seats.
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