In a good news for those wishing to undertake the Mata Machail pilgrimage in the Kishtwar hills of Jammu and Kashmir, the heli-service for the yatra will be cheaper this year as operators have slashed the fare to Rs 1,550 only.
In a good news for those wishing to undertake the Mata Machail pilgrimage in the Kishtwar hills of Jammu and Kashmir, the heli-service for the yatra will be cheaper this year as operators have slashed the fare to Rs 1,550 only.
The one month long yatra will begin on August 1 and would conclude at the end of August.
"The rates for the helicopter services from Gulabgarh to Machail and back have been substantially reduced for the upcoming Machail yatra scheduled to be held from August 1st to 31st", an official spokesman said.
Pilgrims who are above 12 years of age will have to pay Rs 1,550 while those between 2 to 12 will have to pay Rs 1,400.
Children upto two years shall be flown free of cost, he said.
The fares during the present year are the lowest since the inception of heli-services for the yatra.
During 2016, the tariff per ticket per side was Rs 2,000.
In 2015, the tariff was Rs 2,400 per ticket and in the year 2014, every ticket cost Rs 2,700.
In order to finalise the tenders for the helicopter services for the 2017 yatra, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Dr M K Bhandari, had constituted a committee.
Six helicopter companies participated in the tender process.
These included Pawan Hans Ltd and UTair India Pvt Ltd who have been awarded contract.
The spokesperson also said that the heli-services have been offered by the government to facilitate the pilgrims in the rough and difficult terrain of the Kishtwar valley.
"It will facilitate the elderly, children and even sick people to pay obeisance to the deity. It will also help in relief and rescue operations in case of any emergency", he added.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
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