UK may begin its own heli company

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

Taking cognizance on the pilgrims apathy and seeing earning of the companies, Uttarakhand government may start their own heli-service company shortly. As we know that pilgrims, who prefer to visit char dham via helicopter, spend huge money because they don’t have option. If state begins its own company then pilgrims would not be victim of private heli companies.

As per the available data helicopter companies did business of Rs 150 crore this year and state gets mere around Rs 15 crore as Royalty. Ironically, private helicopter companies use state infrastructure. In this scenario State Civil Aviation department is studying all the pros an cons if they start own helicopter service companies.

During char dham nine heli service provider companies earn hefty profit. Even they don’t hesitate in selling the ticket on black during peak time. Whenever the news comes in media then government lodges FIR against the company. If government would enforce the order strictly then they threaten to go on strike and if this happens then pilgrims would be real sufferer.

If department runs their own helicopter service then it would thwart their bid to overcharge from hapless pilgrims.They would make their booking system online. As per the prescribed rate heli service provider companies can’t collect more than Rs 6500 per passenger but companies charge more than double during peak season. Hapless pilgrims have to pay overcharge to avail the service.