Char Dham Yatra Helicopter Package: Hike in Parking Charges, BAOS Protests

Following the hike in royalties and parking charges by authorities in Uttarakhand pilgrims who have booked a helicopter package for the char Dham Yatra have to pay 15 to 16 percent more than the previous price. This insinuated a protest from the Business Aircraft Operator Association (BAOS).

Currently pilgrims and devotes who are booking a helicopter package to the char Dham Yatra have to pay 15 to 16 percent extra prior to a hike in royalties and parking charges done by authorities of Uttarakhand. This evoked a hardcore protest from the Business Aircraft Operator Association (BAOS). This association has demanded an immediate withdrawal of the “unlawful order” which was issued by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA). This decision has increased the price of the per passenger package from 1.6 lakh to 1.95 lakh including the imposition of royalty which mounts up to 25,000 rupees post the hike in landing and parking charges.

This move has been termed as “abrupt” and “unreasonable” as per BAOA, they also went on to add that the order has been carried out without the consultation of legally mandatory stakeholders which is a process as incorporated in the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) or 2016. Along with the 25,000 rupees of royalty, the order has increased the parking charges at the helicopter hangar from 1,000 rupees to 5,000 rupees in the helipads. An official said that the charges for each landing have been raised up to rupees 5,000 in Badrinath, Kharsali and Barkot. Issued on May 12th, which was post two weeks into the Yatra, pilgrims who had already booked their packages had to pay extra and additional charges over their booked charges. The number of pilgrims who have already booked their Yatra amounts up to one lakh.

According to the BAOA managing director, captain RK Bali, the sudden decision of charging royalty charges has not only adversely affected the existing plans for the pilgrims who had already booked their packages but it also causes inconvenience to them. He also added that this order by the Uttarakhand government has not only compromised the National Civil Aviation policy’s mission but it has also diminished the government’s efforts of allowing flying to the masses by making it available in affordable and convenient prices.

Along with this, he also said that they strongly and readily urge UCADA to revoke this order with immediate effect along with rationalizing all the applicable charges such as parking and landing. This is being said in line with the NCAP 2016 along with the existing orders of AERA with an aim to give the regional connectivity scheme a boost and should also consider providing a subsidy for the char dham yatra which will boost the pilgrimage tourism in Uttarakhand.