Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: In a Yatra Review meeting held here, Umang Narula, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) informed Governor N N Vohra that advance online booking of helicopter tickets for Yatra will commence at 10 am on April 25.
SASB has finalized arrangements with UTAir India Pvt. Ltd. and Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd for the Neelgrath-Panjtarni-Neelgrath sector and with Himalayan Heli Services Pvt Ltd for the Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam sector for providing helicopter services for Shri Amarnathji Yatra commencing on June 29, 2017.
CEO informed that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for online booking of heli tickets have been formulated within the parameters of Air Traffic Services Regulations. Advance online booking for helicopter tickets will commence on April 25 through the website of the respective heli operators (www.utair-India.com, www.onlineglobalhelicorp, and www.himalayanheli.com).
The guidelines for booking the heli tickets are available on the Board’s website, http://www.shriamarnathjishrine.com. It was informed that the links of heli operators websites for booking of heli tickets are available on the Board’s website http://www.shriamarnathjishrine.com.
Simultaneously, advance booking through the appointed travel agents will also commence on April 25.
The heli-tickets are provided to the passengers through online- booking, agents appointed by the heli operators, tour and travel associations and current booking counters at helipads. Heli-operators appoint eight agents, four each from Kashmir and Jammu Division for Neelgrath-Panjtarni sector and six agents for Pahalgam – Panjtarni sector, three each from Kashmir and Jammu Divisions.
The per passenger one way heli fare for Yatra 2017 has been fixed at Rs. 1,715/- (inclusive of all taxes) for Neelgrath-Panjtarni and Rs. 2,950/- (inclusive of all taxes) for the Pahalgam-Panjtarni sectors.
The CEO further stated that Yatris who wish to avail Heli services are not required to seek advance Registration through the designated Bank branches as their applications for purchasing heli tickets contain the required information and the same shall be treated as Yatra Permits for undertaking the pilgrimage.
However, no Yatri shall be allowed to board the helicopter unless he/ she produces the required Compulsory Health Certificate issued by an authorized Doctor / Institution. Thus, every helicopter passenger shall have to furnish a Compulsory Health Certificate at the time of boarding the helicopter at Neelgrath or Pahalgam without which the boarding pass will not be issued to the pilgrim.
The details of such institutions /authorized doctors is available on the Board’s website http://www.shriamarnathjishrine.com. No Yatri shall be allowed to board the helicopter without first submitting the Compulsory Health Certificate.
Children below 13 year in age, elderly persons above the age of 75 years and ladies who are more than 6 week pregnant shall not be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage.
The CEO urged the Yatris to follow the Do’s and Don’ts available on Board’s website issued by SASB, from time to time, for safely undertaking this ardous Yatra.
He stressed upon the heli operators the need to ensure that they comply strictly with all the safety requirements and follow ethical trade practices in accordance with the safety regulations prescribed by DGCA / Air Traffic Controller and the Terms & Conditions of their Agreements with the Shrine Board.
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