Subsidized Helicopter Service Greenlit for Jammu-Mendhar Route

• A significant advancement for affordable air travel & emergency evacuation in Mendhar’s remote area: Secretary Civil Aviation

JAMMU, Dec 14: In a major breakthrough for the residents of Mendhar in the Poonch district, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has approved a new subsidized helicopter service that will connect Jammu-Poonch-Mendhar, with an alternative route of Jammu-Mendhar-Jammu.
An official note from the MHA indicates, “The request from the UT of J&K to initiate subsidized helicopter services on the new route of Jammu-Poonch-Mendhar along with the Jammu-Mendhar-Jammu option has been reviewed in consultation with the IFD, and this Department has no objections regarding the specified route.”
The Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory has been advised to claim the subsidy from the MHA within the allocated budget.
This decision is a result of a proposal made by Mohammad Aijaz Asad, Secretary of the Civil Aviation Department, J&K, to enhance direct connectivity between the remote Mendhar area and the winter capital Jammu.
In his remarks, Aijaz Asad stated that the subsidized helicopter service for the Mendhar region aims to improve accessibility for those inhabiting remote locations, particularly where access is a challenge.
He highlighted that this initiative will greatly assist commuters, especially those from far-flung areas such as Poonch and Mendhar, and will also facilitate emergency evacuations as needed.
“Better air connectivity will enhance infrastructure and travel convenience for the inhabitants of Jammu and Kashmir,” he remarked.
The Secretary mentioned that the new route will significantly improve connectivity in the remote Mendhar region, especially during harsh winter months. Aijaz Asad noted that the Helicopter Service will link remote and hard-to-reach areas, enabling swift and effective transportation for the Mendhar populace. This service is particularly important for the Mendhar region, which comprises challenging terrains, thereby improving access during medical emergencies. Additionally, this could potentially promote border tourism in the future.
It is important to note that subsidized helicopter services are currently operational in various regions, 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.