This was stated by the B. B. Vyas, in his separate meetings with the representatives of Travel and Tour Associations of Kashmir,in
Spokesperson said that the launching a helicopter service from Pahalgam to Panchtarni, the traditional route of Amarnathji Yatra, from July 22, it has been decided to include a heli-Parikrama of the Holy Sheshnag for the air-borne devotees, as an important element of the new helicopter service on the traditional route.
This decision has reportedly been taken by the Board in deference to the wishes of certain sections of the intending pilgrims who for various reasons, like old-age, physical disability etc, cannot undertake the arduous track to have darshan of Holy Sheshnag enroute the Holy Cave Shrine. Consequent to the aforesaid decision the pilgrims, who travel by the helicopter service, shall have the opportunity of flying over Mahagunas and Pissu Tops.
Sheshnag is situated about 27 kilometers from Pahalgam, at an altitude of 3,658 meters.
While thanking the Board for deciding, for the first ever time, to allot a specified number of helicopter seats to Travel and Trade Associations in both the Divisions for facilitating the heli-travel of pilgrims during the current year’s Yatra, in a letter written to the Chairman of the Board (His Excellency the Governor), President of Travel Agents Society of Kashmir has further requested to enhance the number of seats presently allocated in favour of the Associations.
Responding to the demand of the Associations, the Governor has approved doubling of the existing allocation on the Baltal-Panchtarni route for the remainder period of the current year’s Yatra. The Governor has further approved that a total of 30 seats per day shall also be made available to the two Associations, in both the Divisions on the Pahalgam-Panchtarni route. The Board has decided to earmark a special quota of 20 seats per day exclusively for the Hotel Association and the Tent Association of Pahalgam with respect to the Pahalgam-Panchtarni route for the period July 22-August 5, 2009.
The Travel and Tour operators expressed happiness over the launching of the new service from Pahalgam, saying that apart from satisfying the spiritual urge of the Yatris, it will give a big boost to tourism, the mainstay of the State economy.
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