Helicopter Services to Kedarnath Resume with Fare Concessions

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that helicopter services to Kedarnath will resume, with a 25% fare concession for pilgrims. An aerial inspection revealed extensive damage from recent landslides. Relief and rescue operations have evacuated over 11,000 people, and efforts are underway to restart the pilgrimage by road.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on Thursday that helicopter services to Kedarnath will resume on Wednesday, offering pilgrims a 25% fare concession. This follows an aerial inspection of the rain-ravaged Kedarnath trek route and a review of ongoing relief and rescue operations over the past few days.

The chief minister stated that the primary focus is now on restarting the road pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrine as quickly as possible. Landslides have damaged the route at 29 locations, disrupting water, power, and telecommunication lines. Dhami highlighted the collaborative efforts of various departments and the local community in rescuing a significant number of people.

Expressing gratitude to the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their support, Dhami noted the crucial role of IAF helicopters in the rescue missions. While rescue work is nearly complete, the emphasis has shifted to repairing infrastructure and preparing alternative routes. Helicopter services to Kedarnath will commence tomorrow, he said, providing pilgrims a 25% discount on fares.