Finally the wait for affordable helicopter services on Char Dham route is over. On Thursday, five companies started operating helicopter flights for the pilgrims to Kedarnath after the inspection and go ahead by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The DGCA also continued to conduct inspections on Thursday.

Additional Secretary of Civil Aviation and Director Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) Rajesh Kumar said, “Five companies started helicopter services on Thursday from Rudraprayag. These include Aero Aircraft, UT Air, Pawan Hans, Aryan Aviation and Himalyan.”

It is pertinent to mention here that systematic online booking will start from May 26 for the pilgrims who wish to use helicopter services in order to reach Kedarnath and Hemkund.

When asked how pilgrims can book ticket online, nodal officer appointed by Rudraprayag district administration, Surendra Singh Panwar said, “Pilgrims can book tickets online by going through the website of the chopper companies or they can visit the official website of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam.”

It is important to mention here that according to the revised tickets rates announced by state administration pilgrims going from Phata to Kedarnath will be paying Rs 2,399 for one way ticket whereas in year 2018 it was Rs 3,350. For pilgrims travelling from Sersi to Kedarnath, one way ticket will cost Rs 2,470.

Earlier in 2018 it was Rs 3,175. Pilgrims travelling from Guptkashi to Kedarnath will be paring Rs 4,275 for one way ticket earlier it was Rs, 3,650. For one way ticket from Govind Ghat to Ghanghariya pilgrims will have to pay Rs 2,795 while earlier it was Rs 2,895.