MoCA flagged off first Heli Services under UDAN in Uttarakhand

Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) operationalized the first-ever helicopter services from Dehradun's Sahastradhara helipad to Gauchar and Chinyalisaur. It was flagged off under the Regional Connectivity Scheme – Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) of Government of India.

Aim:

The aim of the heli routes in the Uttrakhand region is in line with the government's objective to enhance the aerial connectivity of the hilly areas in the country.

Uttarakhand’s First Heli Service:

♦ The Sahastradhara-Gauchar-Chinyalisaur route was awarded to Heritage Aviation under the UDAN 2 bidding process by MoCA.  

♦ The helicopter services from Sahastradhara to Gauchar and Chinyalisaur will operate twice daily. 

♦ The Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is provided under UDAN to keep the fares affordable for the common people.

♦ The State Government is providing additional incentives to make the scheme more attractive.

♦ The helicopter services was a long pending demand of the people residing in the hilly areas. 

♦ It is expected that this route will boost the tourism sector in the Uttrakhand region.

UDAN scheme:

Launched on: 27 April 2017

Located at: Delhi

Ministry responsible: Ministry of Civil Aviation

♦ The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) is also known as Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN).

♦ The scheme aimed to make air travel affordable and widespread in the country. It also aims to boost inclusive national economic development, job growth and air transport infrastructure development of all regions and states of India.

♦ The airlines compete to win subsidies to operate flights that link small airports with bigger airports in the country.