5000 Passengers Utilized Subsidized Helicopter Services Last Winter: Govt.

KO NEWS SERVICE

JAMMU: Secretary, Civil Aviation Department (CAD), Mohammad Aijaz Asad, on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review functioning of Subsidized Helicopter Service in Jammu and Kashmir.

Secretary, while addressing the meeting, exhorted all the officers to put in best efforts ensuring that the purpose of facilitating the public with affordable and accessible means of transportation is met.

He emphasized the need of creating huge awareness regarding availability of this service so that maximum people could get benefitted.

During the meeting, the issue of exploring possibilities for making these subsidized air services operational throughout the year was also discussed.

Stressing on making this air service more convenient and accessible for the public, the Secretary directed for making the booking online platform in addition to the offline option. He also sought suggestions from the concerned officers and service provider companies regarding further streamlining of this crucial service for the public.

Responding to issue of payments of Aryan Aviation Limited Kashmir and Global Vectra Jammu, the Secretary issued directions to the concerned for releasing the reimbursement at the earliest so that the subsidized air services are not affected on this account.

Earlier, Additional Secretary, CAD, Veedushi Kapoor, briefed the meeting about the present status of subsidized helicopter services being provided in various areas like Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Bandipora and Kupwara.

She informed that about 5444 passengers have availed this vital facility from December 2022 to April 2023.

Meanwhile, Nodal Officers for Subsidized Helicopter Service Doda, Rajouri, Poonch, Jammu, Srinagar, Bandipora and Kupwara apprised the Secretary of various issues concerning their respective jurisdictions.