Heli-taxi services resume in Himachal

ONLY 3 PASSENGERS FLEW IN TWO FLIGHTS OPERATED BY THE NATIONAL HELICOPTER CARRIER PAWAN HANS

DHARAMSHALA:: The heli-taxi services resumed on Monday in Himachal Pradesh amid poor response in wake of Covid-19.

Only three passengers flew in two flights operated by the National Helicopter Carrier Pawan Hans Ltd. A company official said a passenger travelled on the Chandigarh-shimla flight and two passengers on Shimla-kullu route.

All domestic flights, including helicopter services, were suspended in March due to the nationwide lockdown imposed in wake of Covid-19 outbreak. The flights on Chandigarh-shimlachandigarh route will be operated six days in a week except for Sunday. Flights on Shimla-kullu route will be operated on Monday, Friday and Saturday. On Shimla—dharamshala route, flights will operate on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

As per the state government guidelines for heli-taxi services, the passengers with valid address proof in Himachal will be allowed to travel by air, only after obtaining the mandatory e-pass from the district magistrate of the area.

The mandatory quarantine guidelines, which require 14-day paid or institutional quarantine for anyone coming from a highload infected city, will be applicable to all passengers.

The fare for one-way journey on Chandigarh-shimla route is ₹3,445 per person while on Shimla-kullu route the one way trip will cost ₹3,828. The fare is highest at ₹4,750 on Shimla-dharamsala circuit. As per the Sops, the 10-seater helicopter will operate with 50% capacity.