SRINAGAR: Slashing down the passenger fare this year, CEO Amarnathji Shrine Board, Umang Narula announced the finalization of the helicopter operations for the ucoming Amarnath Yatra which is scheduled to commence on June 29, 2017.
As compared to previous years of Rs 2000 and Rs 4300 respectively, the one way passenger fare for the Neelgrath-Panjtarni sector has been fixed at Rs 1715 per head and that for the Pahalgam-Panjtarni axis will be Rs. 2950 per person. This is inclusive of all taxes.
This was briefed by Narula to governor N N Vohra where he attributed rate slash to “a transparent bidding process.”
The heli- services have been contracted out to UTair India Pvt. Ltd. and Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd. for the Neelgrath-Panjtarni-Neelgrath sector and Himalayan Heli Services Pvt. Ltd. for the Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam sector.
CEO further informed that the on-line booking facility for purchase of heli tickets by the intending Yatris shall commence shortly and advised the pilgrims not to be misled by unscrupulous elements who try to book tickets by fraudulent means and to procure the tickets only from the authorized agencies.
In case of any mishap, Narula informed that the Shrine Board has procured insurance cover of Rs.1.00 lakh for each registered Yatri and each registered Service Provider and, besides, a cover of Rs.30,000 for every registered Pony, for any accidental deaths.
