Subsidy of 75 pc of total cost of operation
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 22: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved continuation of subsidised helicopter services on five routes in Jammu and Kashmir for a period of five years.
“The step is aimed at promoting internal air connectivity between various districts of the Union Territory,” official sources told the Excelsior.
They said the subsidised helicopter services have been extended for a five-year period from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2026.
The Union Home Ministry’s nod for continuation of subsidized helicopter services in Jammu and Kashmir has been conveyed to the Jammu and Kashmir administration, the sources said.
Five approved routes, where the subsidized helicopter services have been extended are Kishtwar-Sounder-Navapachi-Ishan-Kishtwar, Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch-Jammu, Jammu-Doda-Kishtwar-Jammu, Bandipora-Kanzalwan- Dawar-Niri-Bandipora, and Kupwara-Machil-Tangdhar-Keran-Kupwara.
According to sources, the Ministry of Home Affairs will provide a subsidy equal to either 75% of total cost of operation after deducting passenger recovery or flat 20% of actual operation cost, whichever is more.
“The remaining cost will be borne by the Jammu and Kashmir Government,” they said.
“The idea is to promote internal air connectivity between far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir, as desired by both the Ministry of Home Affairs and Jammu and Kashmir Government,” the sources said.
They added that the subsidised chopper services may be used for medical evacuation and other emergencies.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, however, said it may increase or decrease the number of helicopters or flying hours and also start helicopter services on additional routes within the approved financial outlays, which put year-wise Central share of operational cost at Rs 6.24 crore from 2021-22 to 2023-24, Rs 7.5 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 8.13 crore in 2025-26.
“The Central share will be paid directly by MHA to the helicopter operators,” sources said.
A tendering process for engaging helicopter operators may be done either directly by MHA or by J&K Government with the tender documents being vetted by MHA.
There shall be no restriction for the private sector to operate helicopter services on the existing routes without any subsidy.
VIPs, officers of Central or J&K Government or tourists will not be eligible for subsidised fares and must pay the full fare subject to availability of seats, the sources said.
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