Deputy Commissioner, Angrez Singh Rana took review meeting with the nodal officers of the area regarding the subsidized helicopter services.The meeting was informed that 763 passengers have been air lifted since the commencement of the subsidized helicopter services. Increase in the air lifting of the passengers have been recorded in the month of December and January to the tune of 421 passengers from Kishtwar to Marwah-Warwan and Dacchan which is attributed to the closure of the road at Margan Top due to heavy snowfall.Speaking on the occasion, DC informed that government has fixed only Tuesday and Friday for the airlifting of the passengers from Jammu-Doda-Kishtwar-Marwah-Warwan,Dacchan and back to Jammu, but keeping in view the rush of the passengers during the month of December and January from Marwah and Warwan to Kishtwar and vice versa, the passengers have also been lifted on Wednesday,Thursday and Sunday.It was also informed that the subsidized helicopter tariff from Jammu to Kishtwar, Kishtwar to (Soundar) Dacchan, Kishtwar to (Nawapachi) Marwah and Kishtwar to (Inshan) Warwan is Rs 4000, Rs 1000, Rs 1500 and Rs 2000 respectively.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned Officers to work in tandem and maintain close coordination for smooth operation of the helicopter services.He also urged upon the concerned agencies to use social networking for better dissemination of information regarding flight timings, rescheduling or cancellations due to bad weather.He impressed upon the nodal officers to ensure that tickets are issued on first-come, first-serve basis and priority be given to ladies, old-aged persons and patients.People of the Marwah-Warwan and Dacchan area have hailed the efforts of State government, central government and District administration Kishtwar for providing to and fro air services.