Residents in remote regions of Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir, find hope in the newly launched subsidized helicopter service connecting Doda to Jammu. This marks a major stride in easing winter travel for these areas.
The inaugural ceremony, hosted at the District Police Line in Doda, witnessed the esteemed presence of Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh and SSP Abdul Qayoom. Among the pioneers of this revolutionary transportation mode were three passengers from Doda, who became the first to experience the ease of travel to Jammu.
Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh, alongside SSP Doda, spearheaded the formal ceremony, with Assistant Commissioner Panchayat Ashfaq Khanji designated as the nodal officer to oversee the seamless operations of the helicopter service. Global Vectra Pvt Ltd from Mumbai has been entrusted with managing this vital transport link.
Addressing the media, DC Doda underscored the significance of the helicopter service, particularly for passengers requiring emergency or time-sensitive travel. The aerial alternative aims to efficiently replace the arduous 180 km road journey, substantially reducing travel time. Priced at an affordable rate of 2500 per person, the government-subsidized service ensures accessibility for the public, thereby improving overall connectivity.
Safdar Ali, Shakeela Begum, and Anwar Ul Haq, the first three passengers flown to Jammu from Doda, expressed their appreciation for the government’s decision to provsubsidized helicopter services in these hilly rural areas, where travel has always been a major challenge due to long distances. Safdar Ali, a resident of Doda, extended gratitude to the Jammu and Kashmir administration for considering the needs of the people in these areas.
Maqbool Ahmed of Doda shared poignant memories of past hardships, recalling instances where patients faced life-threatening delays en route to Jammu due to the lack of connectivity. He emphasized the positive impact of the subsidized helicopter service in ensuring timely access to critical medical institutions like Jammu Medical College.