The helicopter service between Pithoragarh and the remote hill town of Munsiyari in Uttarakhand is likely to begin by September 30 under the Centre’s Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme, which aims to connect far-flung areas of the country with affordable air services.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, in a letter to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, informed about this development and two other proposed UDAN services for the Kumaon region in the coming days.
The Centre’s decision to expand air connectivity in Kumaon follows Dhami’s request for enhanced helicopter services in the state, citing the challenges posed by difficult road routes. Naidu stated in his letter that Heritage Aviation has been finalised to operate the Pithoragarh–Munsiyari service, covering an aerial distance of about 55 km. The service is expected to start by September 30.
Preparations are also underway for another helicopter service between Pithoragarh and Dharchula, near the Nepal border, covering 43 km by air. Land for a helipad in Dharchula, about 92 km by road from Pithoragarh, has already been acquired. The Centre has agreed in principle to award this route as well to Heritage Aviation.
In a third major initiative, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has proposed an air service between Pithoragarh and Delhi under the UDAN scheme. Consultations with interested airlines are ongoing, and the route will be finalised once an airline submits its operational plan.
In another boost to Uttarakhand’s connectivity, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has informed the Chief Minister that a feasibility study for the Tanakpur–Achanera rail service is underway. This follows the state government’s request for a special train service to improve regional rail connectivity.