In a major boost to pilgrimage centre, the Vaishno Devi shrine, the much-awaited helicopter service from Jammu to Vaishno Devi via Panchhi helipad started on Tuesday(26 June 2024)
The service will offer a convenient and comfortable mode of transportation to the shrine. The direct helicopter service from Jammu to Vaishno Devi was confirmed by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at its 72nd meeting on April 3, 2024.
To cost Rs 35,000
The shrine board has set up two packages as per the need of pilgrims, the same day return (SDR) package which costs Rs 35,000 while the next day return (NDR) package costs Rs 60,000.
The first sortie which took off from Jammu Airport by 11 am was received at Panchhi helipad at about 11.20 am by Anshul Garg, the Chief Executive Officer of the board. The helicopter service will operate from the Jammu airport to Panchhi helipad, situated near the shrine. The service will operate on daily basis, with four flights throughout the day. The flight will take off only when a minimum of four pilgrims have booked their seat.
Under the SDR package, the pilgrim, apart from to-and-fro helicopter service from Jammu to shrine, will also be provided transport facility from Panchhi helipad to the shrine and back to the helipad, priority ‘darshan’, one time free meal at Bhawan, ropeway ticket to Bhairon temple and a box of “Panchmeva Prasad”.
Under NDR package, the pilgrim will also get transport facility from Panchhi helipad to the shrine and back to helipad, priority darshans, accommodation facility for overnight stay and three meals at Bhawan, Shradha Suman Vishesh Poojan Arti (SSVP), ropeway ticket to Bhairon temple and a box of Panchmeva Prasad.