Himachal Launches Subsidised Helicopter Taxis From Shimla; Fares Start at Rs 3,169

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday inaugurated the much-awaited helicopter taxi services from the Sanjauli heliport, marking a major milestone in the state’s aerial connectivity. The launch ends a three-year operational delay caused by regulatory hurdles, effectively linking the state capital with daily flights to the tribal districts and the regional hub of Chandigarh. Operating under the Central Government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, the service aims to provide a swift and affordable travel alternative to the arduous mountain roads of the Himalayas.

The operationalisation of the Sanjauli facility is a strategic move to boost high-end tourism and provide a lifeline for locals during the winter months. The Chief Minister emphasised that the heliport’s location is particularly advantageous for its proximity to the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), making it a critical asset for emergency medical evacuations. While the facility was physically completed years ago, flights were only permitted after the state government addressed specific security observations raised by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.

Subsidised Fares and Route Network

The pricing for the new heli-taxi services has been structured to be accessible to the general public through heavy subsidies. The Union Civil Aviation Ministry is bearing 80 per cent of the operational costs, with the Himachal Pradesh government providing the remaining 20 per cent. This partnership has allowed fares to be capped at competitive rates. A one-way ticket from Sanjauli to Chandigarh is priced at Rs 3,169, while the daily services to Bhuntar in Kullu and Reckong Peo in Kinnaur are priced at Rs 3,500 and Rs 4,000, respectively.

Heritage Aviation has been contracted to manage the internal state routes, operating six-seater Airbus H125 helicopters. These aircraft will perform two daily flights on the Shimla-Kullu route and a daily flight to the ITBP helipad at Reckong Peo. For the Chandigarh connection, Pawan Hans Limited will manage operations, with regular tri-weekly flights scheduled for Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays starting from January 27. Heritage Aviation CEO Rohit Mathur noted that due to the weight constraints of the helicopters, passengers are restricted to a strict 5 kg hand baggage limit.

Operational Schedule and Regulatory Journey

The daily flights to Kullu and Kinnaur are expected to significantly reduce travel time from half a day to less than an hour, offering a safer and more convenient option for tourists and patients alike. The Chief Minister cautioned that while the schedule is daily, mountain aviation is subject to weather conditions. Operations will be frequent but may be affected by visibility and turbulence. The Sanjauli-Chandigarh route’s tri-weekly schedule is specifically aimed at managing the heavy transit of officials and business travellers between the two capital cities.

The journey to this launch began in September 2017, when the foundation stone for the Rs 15.86-crore project was laid by former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. Despite being inaugurated in early 2022, the heliport remained non-functional due to the absence of mandatory clearances from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Final approval was eventually secured on August 7, 2025. The current administration noted that this delay was resolved after a concerted effort to meet the latest safety protocols and infrastructure requirements demanded by central aviation authorities.

Future Expansion and State-Wide Connectivity

Chief Minister Sukhu further announced that the state is not stopping at these initial routes. Proposals have already been submitted to the DGCA for additional services on the Sanjauli-Rampur-Reckong Peo and Sanjauli-Manali routes. This is part of a broader vision to establish functional heliports at every district headquarters across Himachal Pradesh. Currently, the state is investing approximately Rs 15 crore each in four new heliports at Jaskot (Hamirpur), Rakkar and Palampur (Kangra), and Chamba, all of which are slated for completion by the second quarter of 2026.

The project has faced political scrutiny, with Opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur claiming the government is “re-inaugurating” infrastructure that was already completed during the previous BJP tenure. In response, the Chief Minister alleged that the previous government had prioritised buildings over utility, whereas the current focus is on securing the necessary flight permissions and creating a working aerial grid. Despite the political debate, the commencement of services marks a tangible upgrade to the state’s transport infrastructure, promising to draw high-spending tourists and improve emergency response times in remote regions.

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