Govt to start helicopter service to Rajouri, Poonch; trial today

Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 7: The Government has declared to start  Helicopter service from Jammu to Rajouri and Poonch and Pawan Hans, Government owned aircraft company will conduct trial landing tomorrow.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Dr M K Bhandari  told the Excelsior that on the demand of the people from Poonch and Rajouri districts, the Government  has taken a decision to start operation of Helicopter service between Jammu – Rajouri and Jammu-Poonch and the trial landing will be conducted by the pilots of Pawan Hans aircraft company on September 8.
He said service between Jammu-Kishtwar has already been started on the public demand and the decision  for this one, has been taken to facilitate the people of this border belt.
Dr Bhandari further disclosed that Deputy Commissioners of Rajouri and Poonch have identified the sites with the help of other district level officials for trial landing  and after the successful conduct of trial- run  at both the places, the Administration would give  ‘green nod’ for the operation of  air-service between Jammu and twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
He said the booking of tickets will start on September 9 and operation will commence on Monday (September 11).  The operation will be bi-weekly only on Monday and Saturday, initially and it may be increased.
While  for Jammu- Rajouri and back, the rate of air-ticket has been fixed as Rs 2000 per passenger and for Jammu-Poonch it will be Rs 4000.  In the beginning, the tickets will be issued from the office of Deputy Commissioners, Rajouri and Poonch  and later it would be outsourced, Dr Bhandari maintained.
Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary while confirming the trial landing and Heli-operation in Rajouri-Poonch said that he  has talked to the local Army authorities to allow private operation at air strip, Rajouri but they have refused on the plea that they have to seek permission from Ministry of Defence, New Delhi. Same is the problem at Poonch because that air-strip is also under the control of Defence authorities.
Dr Shahid disclosed that they have identified two places for trial landing at Sports Stadium, Rajouri and District Police Lines. This is temporary arrangement. Later, they will construct own Helipad within one month time with the help of R&B department. He said tomorrow if the trial landing remained successful, the air-operation will start on September 11 (Monday). The booking of tickets will start on September 9.
The DC  said initially, the chopper will operate on Monday and Saturday and if the demand increased, the number of days of operation  will be increased. The ailing people and others, having some emergency will be given priority. Pawan Hans will operate on this route and 40 hours flying time per month has been agreed upon. Rs 2000 per person will be fare for Rajouri and Rs 4000 for Poonch from Jammu and vice versa.
Dr Shahid further disclosed that a ticket cell is being created in the DC office Rajouri with at least four officials and ACR Rajouri  will be the Nodal officer for Rajouri Cell. They will issue the tickets on first come first serve basis. In Jammu, Tourist Department, Residency Road (Dak Bungalow)  will issue tickets and Deputy Director Tourism will be the Nodal  officer for the same.
Deputy Commissioner Poonch,  TA Zargar said that in Poonch,  they have identified location outside Defence airfield for trial landing tomorrow. Army has not allowed the private operation at its own air-strip.  The sites for trial landing of the chopper has been selected at Sports Stadium, Poonch and another one at  DPL, which is second option.
But Poonch Army authorities have taken up the issue of Poonch air strip for private operation with MoD. If they allowed, it will be better option for them. And if needed, they will construct Helipad at some suitable location in Poonch.  He said after successful  trial, the operation will start from Monday. The tickets will be issued from DC office initially. Later, the tickets will be provided online. He hoped that air-service in this area will  be most successful in coming days.

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