Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government is giving special emphasis on increasing heli connectivity in the state. In this sequence, heli services were started from Dehradun to Joshiyada (Uttarkashi) and Dehradun to Gauchar (Chamoli) on November 7, just before the State Foundation Day. At the same time, now the Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) is going to start operating heli services for four major cities of the state. For this, UCADA has also started preparations.
Under the Udan scheme of the Government of India, four major cities of the state, Bageshwar, Nainital, Mussoorie and Haridwar will be connected with heli services. UCADA believes that after the start of heli services for these major cities of the state, not only the local people will benefit, but tourists will also benefit from it. All these heli services will be operated through private operators.
Let us tell you that under the Udan scheme, work is being done to build 18 heliports in the state. After the completion of 10 of these heliports, heli services have also been started. At present, heli services are being operated from Dehradun to all the places of the state like Pantnagar, Champawat, Srinagar, Haldwani, Almora, Gauchar, Joshiada, Chinyalisaur, Munsyari and Pithoragarh.
In such a situation, soon heli services are going to start from Dehradun for four more cities. According to UCADA, first of all air service will be started from Dehradun to Bageshwar. For this, land has been selected to build a helipad in Bageshwar.
Heli service between Dehradun and Bageshwar will be operated by private company Pawan Hans. Apart from this, construction of helipad in Nainital is going to start soon to start heli services from Dehradun to Nainital. Along with identifying the land for the helipad in Nainital, the heli operator has also been selected.
At the same time, Heritage Aviation Company will provide its services for the heli service from Dehradun to Nainital. Along with this, heli services are to be started from Dehradun to Haridwar and Mussoorie. Due to this, the process of identifying land for the construction of helipad in Mussoorie and Haridwar is going on. Private operators have also been selected for both these routes Dehradun to Haridwar and Dehradun to Mussoorie.
While talking, CEO of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority Sonika said that in view of the increasing number of tourists in Uttarakhand year after year and the difficult geographical conditions of the state, the state government is promoting heli services. This will promote tourism and pilgrimage. Along with this, during disasters, along with immediate relief and rescue, seriously injured patients can be taken to the hospital as soon as possible.
