Jammu: Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has started the facility of online helicopter ticket booking for both Baltal and Pahalgam yatra routes for this year’s 52-day Shri Amarnath Yatra.
The annual pilgrimage of Baba Amarnath is starting on June 29 and will conclude on August 19, on the day of Raksha Bandhan.
As per official details, for the Baltal route, helicopter service is being provided on Neelgrath-Panjtarni-Neelgrath, and for Pahalgam route, it will be available on Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam route.
However, official sources said online booking of helicopter service can be availed of by visiting the official website JKSASB.nic.in adding, “offline tickets or priority will not be available, hence the booking will be on first come first serve basis and will be provided directly to the devotees.”
As far as fare is concerned, they said one way fare from Pahalgam to Panjtarni has been fixed at Rs 4900, two way fare at Rs 9800, one way fare from Neelgrath to Panjtarni has been fixed at Rs 3250 and both way fare at Rs 6500.
“The pilgrims undergoing the yatra must have a health certificate while booking the helicopter tickets,” they said, and added that the journey from the Panjtarni helipad to the holy cave and back takes time, so the available slots for the pilgrims will be visible with a gap of at least 5 to 6 hours between the trips.
“The traveller must carry original photo identity card and a health certificate during the journey while the pilgrims must reach the respective helipads at least 30 minutes before the booked slot time,” said an official.
He stated that the charter booking is only allowed for travel between Srinagar and Neelgrath with priority seats in the connecting service running between Neelgrath and Panjtarni. (with Agency inputs)
