In a significant development, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) is mulling to expand its air-operations by setting up new and enhanced helipad for speedier transportation of Vaishno Devi pilgrims.
This is first time that the board is considering the proposal for expansion of helipad. The state of the art-helipad, spread over 200 kanals of land is coming up near Katra town soon. The new helipad will cater to the ever-growing demand of pilgrims wanting to avail chopper services for undertaking the yatra to the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.
Sources confirmed that discussions within the board administration on this had started and the need for this facility was raised as demand of chopper service has increased sharply in last few years. They said that existing helipad is running operations in a cramped space in around 40 kanals, which besides the landing area also houses ticket and frisking counters, security pickets, etc.
They further added that due to space constraints, only few sorties are possible in a day as the helipad can only provide services to maximum 1000 pilgrims. The tickets get booked within minutes of the opening and it is a herculean task to get the chopper ticket for Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims.
“Yes, we are mulling to construct a new helipad with enhanced facilities, so that more pilgrims could be accommodate and avail this facility,” Anshul Garg, additional chief executive officer SMVDSB told Greater Kashmir.
“The new helipad is planned to keeping in view the future demand of next 40 years. The site is more or less finalised. The helipad will handle more pilgrims per day, in addition it will be offering latest facilities to pilgrims,” he said.
“Presently on an average only 1000 pilgrims can fly with us in a day if choppers operation starts from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm, due to limited number of sorties and space constraint,” he said.
“We are able to accommodate two requests out of every 10 we get, so need to upgrade the facility,” he said, adding, “Paper work is already done while work is going on for DPR and land acquisition.”
“We need around 200 kanals of land outside the city to construct bigger helipad, so that we can enhance our air-operations with more sorties ,” he said, adding, “We have identified a land in village Hut, near Katra and district administration Reasi has been asked to acquire the land so that we initiate the process further,” he said.
“Normally it takes 1 year to complete the new helipad after land acquisition,” he said, adding, “The present helipad will be then be used for only VIPs and defence purposes.”