CM INAUGURATES DAILY HELICOPTER SERVICES LINKING KULLU, MANDI AND CHANDIGARH

Face2News/Shimla

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu virtually inaugurated daily helicopter services connecting Mandi and Chandigarh, as well as Kullu–Mandi–Chandigarh, from his official residence, Oak Over, on Monday.

The Mandi–Chandigarh service will operate under the Government of India’s UDAN (RCS-UDAN), while the Kullu–Mandi–Chandigarh route will be operated by Heritage Aviation Private Limited under a non-RCS (market-based) model.

According to the schedule, the helicopter will depart from Kullu at 9:00 a.m., reach Mandi at 9:10 a.m., leave Mandi at 9:15 a.m., and arrive in Chandigarh at 9:45 a.m. The return flight will depart Chandigarh at 10:00 a.m., reach Mandi at 10:30 a.m., and continue to Kullu, arriving at 10:45 a.m.

The services will operate from the newly developed Kangnidhar Heliport in Mandi. Under the RCS-UDAN scheme, the fare for the Mandi–Chandigarh sector has been fixed at ₹3,500, while the Kullu–Mandi–Chandigarh route will cost ₹8,500.

Congratulating the people of Mandi and Kullu on the launch, the Chief Minister said the state government is committed to strengthening air connectivity in remote and hilly regions. He said the new helicopter services would significantly reduce travel time, boost tourism, improve emergency response capabilities, and provide greater convenience to both residents and tourists.

Sukhu said the government remains focused on expanding aviation infrastructure by developing heliports, enhancing regional air connectivity, and implementing the RCS-UDAN scheme in collaboration with the Government of India and other stakeholders.
Highlighting the state’s tourism development strategy, he said heliports are being constructed at every district headquarters and major tourist destinations. Construction of heliports at Jaskot in Hamirpur district, Rakkar and Palampur in Kangra district, and Chamba is in the final stage. These projects are expected to attract more high-end tourists, creating new employment and income opportunities for local communities.

He also announced that funds have been allocated for a heliport in Una, while proposals are under consideration for heliports in Nahan and Solan. Additionally, a heliport is being developed at Rangrik in Lahaul-Spiti district with the support of the Indian Army.
The virtual inauguration was attended by Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan, Tourism Director Vivek Bhatia, and other senior government officials and public representatives.