JAMMU, May 16: To facilitate pilgrims seeking special darshan in a jiffy, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board will start its Jammu to Sanjhi Chhat helicopter service possibly from June.
Sources privy to the development said that the SMVDSB is starting Jammu to Sanjhi Chhat helicopter service for the pilgrims, who want to have darshan at Bhawan in a day’s time.
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“If everything goes as per the proposed schedule, the helicopter service is expected to be available in the first fortnight of June,” sources said.
The pilgrims availing the facility will be dropped at Panchhi helipad, 2.5-km short of Bhawan, adding they said that special darshan will also be provided to these pilgrims.
The Shrine Board, as per sources, will be introducing two types of packages comprising ‘Same Day Return’ (SDR) for Rs 35,000/- and ‘Next Day Return’ (NDR) for Rs 50,000/- per person.
Sharing the details, sources said that in SDR format, pilgrims on reaching Panchhi Helipad will be provided battery car service to Bhawan, special darshan slip, ‘prasad’, priority ticket cable car to offer prayers at ‘Bhairon Temple’, battery car service on return to reach Panchi Helipad and board the helicopter for Jammu Airport.
Sources further said that in NDR, rooms at Bhawan and ‘Atka Aarti’ are in addition included to all SDR facilities.
Notably, helicopter service at present is available only between Katra and Sanjhi Chhat for which the one-way fare is Rs 2,100 per person.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already permitted helicopter service between Jammu and Bhawan while the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is on job to make all arrangements and preparations before the start of the SDR/NDR services for hassle-free and smooth pilgrimage experience to the devotees. (Agencies)
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