Centre nod to subsidised helicopter service on Jammu-Mendhar route

Jammu : In a significant development for the people of the Mendhar sector in Poonch district, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has accorded approval to a new subsidised helicopter route connecting Jammu-Poonch-Mendhar with an additional option of Jammu-Mendhar-Jammu route.

An official communication from the MHA states, “The proposal of the Union Territory to operate the subsidised helicopter services on new route of Jammu-Poonch-Mendhar with additional option of Jammu-Mendhar-Jammu has been examined in consultation with IFD and this Department has no objection for aforesaid route.”

An official spokesperson said the Union Territory has been advised to claim the subsidy from the MHA within the approved budget allocation.

This decision follows a proposal submitted by Secretary, Civil Aviation Department, J&K, Mohammad Aijaz Asad for connecting remote area of Mendhar directly with Jammu.

Asad stated that the subsidised helicopter service in Mendhar sector is aimed at enhancing connectivity in remote areas of the region.

Subsidised helicopter services are already operational in several parts of the region, including Kishtwar-Sounder-Navapachi-Ishan-Kishtwar, Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch-Jammu, Jammu-Doda-Kishtwar-Jammu, Bandipora-Kanzalwan- Dawar-Niri-Bandipora, and Kupwara-Machil-Tangdhar-Keran-Kupwara, the spokesperson said.