Dehradun: In a major move to streamline the Kedarnath Yatra, helicopter ticket bookings will now be conducted exclusively through IRCTC. The booking portal is expected to open from April 10.
The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has finalized preparations to ensure a smooth and transparent booking process. In the first phase, helicopter tickets for 20 days of travel will be made available.
A key meeting was held under the leadership of UCADA CEO Dr. Ashish Chauhan with IRCTC officials to finalize operational details. The Kedarnath helicopter shuttle service is scheduled to begin from April 21.
This year, four operators have been selected to operate across eight routes from Guptkashi, Sirsi, and Phata helipads. The new system aims to eliminate fraud and unauthorized bookings, ensuring genuine pilgrims get access to tickets.
Officials also addressed concerns regarding refunds in case of flight cancellations due to bad weather. In previous years, passengers faced delays in getting refunds. UCADA has assured strict action against operators if refunds are delayed this time.
Pilgrims have been advised to book tickets only through the official portal and avoid fake websites or agents. The new centralized system is expected to improve transparency, reduce scams, and make the pilgrimage more convenient.
