GMVN to refund money for Heli service to 11000 pilgrims

After Honorable Chief Minister Shri Tirath Singh Rawat announced to postpone the Char Dham Yatra amid the rising case of COVID-19. The government has instructed to cancel any other booking and refund the amount the pilgrims who have registered to avail the heli service.

Sharing this information Secretary Uttarakhand Tourism, Dilip Jawalkar, said, “Every year thousands of pilgrims visit Uttarakhand for Chardham Yatra. Keeping in mind the safety of pilgrims from India and abroad, an important decision has been taken by the state government to postpone the Chardham Yatra for the year. Directions have been given to GMVN to refund the amount after excluding the processing fee of `200. The amount will be deposited in the bank account of the pilgrims.” It is pertinent to mention that the responsibility of booking tickets for the Shri Kedarnath Heli service was given to GMVN by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB). Keeping convenience for the pilgrims, the booking opened from April 2 on the GMVN website. Many pilgrims from India and abroad booked the heli service in advance.

Managing Director, GMVN Dr. Ashish Chauhan said, “The amount of booking was taken by GMVN on behalf of Heli Operators which then transferred to the account operated by Yes Bank Limited for GMVN. Nearly 11000 pilgrims have booked Heli services for the season. The decision of refund will bring relief to national and foreign pilgrims.”