Travel for tourists to Uttarakhand's popular destinations and religious sites is set to become significantly easier, as the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has announced a plan to connect more than 25 key locations with helicopter services.
This major expansion aims not only to provide better facilities for tourists but also to strengthen the state's capacity for relief and rescue operations during disasters. The initiative is being implemented by the Civil Aviation Department, aligning with an announcement made by the state government in this year's budget speech.
Key Destinations Covered
The plan includes connecting all the Dhams in the state, as well as several other prominent tourist and border areas. The list of 25 locations being identified for new or enhanced services includes:
Dhams and Religious Sites: Badrinath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Haridwar, Purnagiri.
Tourist Hotspots: Mussoorie, Tehri Lake, Lansdowne, Chakrata, Bhimtal.
Key Regional Hubs: Munsiyari (Pithoragarh), Chuka (Champawat), Machkali (Almora), Gauchar, Joshimath, Gunji.
Supporting Infrastructure And Strategy
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to continuously expand air services in the state. The current steps include:
- Working towards connecting all districts with helicopter services.
- Increasing the number of helipads and heliports.
- Strengthening air connectivity in border areas in cooperation with the army.
The dual objective is to make travel seamless for visitors while also creating a robust network that can be utilised for emergency situations.
Confirming the development, Ashish Chauhan, CEO of UCADA, stated, "An action plan has been prepared for the expansion of helicopter services in the state. Helicopter services for all these locations will be launched gradually."
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