The Union Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri and chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat jointly inaugurated the Dehradun-New Tehri-Srinagar-Gauchar helicopter service under the UDAN Yojana online here on Wednesday.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the helicopter services being started under the UDAN scheme are being liked considerably by the local people.
He expressed happiness at the fact that the latest service will be operated by Pawan Hans three days a week- Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Rawat further said that under the UDAN scheme, Dehradun had been connected by air to dozens of cities across the nation. A direct flight between Hindon, Ghaziabad and Pithoragarh has also been started.
Further, 27 heliports have been developed in the state. Under the regional connectivity scheme, Dehradun has been connected to Pantnagar, Pithoragarh, Chinyalisaud and Gauchar.
Rawat requested Puri about starting a similar service for Haldwani-Almora-Dharchula three days a week. Helicopter service should also be started for Guptkashi, Badkot and Harshil considering the Char Dham Yatra.
Stating that standards of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security are rigid he requested that some changes be made considering the situation in Uttarakhand. Puri said that the suggestions for starting helicopter services on new routes will be considered by the ministry.
Regarding the BCAS standards, a solution under the regulations will be reached after holding a meeting with the officials, he added.