Dehradun: Starting this year, the booking of tickets for helicopter services to Kedarnath Dham in the state will be entirely online. Previously, 70 percent of bookings were made online, while the remaining 30 percent were done on the spot. However, the system has been revised, and now all bookings will be made online. This change is aimed at streamlining the booking process and making it more convenient for travelers.
This year, the remaining 30 percent of tickets for helicopter services to Kedarnath Dham will be booked through an immediate arrangement with the Railways. Passengers who wish to book tickets after reaching Guptkashi, Sirsi, and other helipads will be able to do so through instant online booking on the IRCTC website. The tickets will be issued on a first-come, first served basis, allowing travelers to make last-minute bookings as per their convenience.
This year, the responsibility for booking tickets for helicopter services to Kedarnath Dham is set to be transferred from Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC). The Civil Aviation Department has sent a letter to IRCTC regarding the transfer of responsibility. This move is expected to streamline the booking process and improve the overall experience for travelers.
During the Chardham Yatra in the state, a significant number of devotees visit Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib using helicopter services. Last year, around 1.36 lakh devotees traveled to Kedarnath Dham via helicopter. To ensure a more efficient booking process, Civil Aviation Secretary Dilip Jawalkar has confirmed that the entire booking of helicopter services will be done online this year. Additionally, there are plans to introduce a Tatkal booking option through online medium, providing travelers with more flexibility and convenience.
