Jammu, May 21: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday inaugurated a newly-constructed helipad in Vallage Hutt Katra to streamline helicopter services for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi and Shiv Khori shrines.

The facility, built at a cost of around Rs 27 crore, will improve connectivity and provide major relief to devotees travelling to the twin shrines, officials said, adding that helicopter services from Katra to Shiv Khori will commence soon.
The Lieutenant Governor said that the integrated aviation facility will streamline heli-operations, enhancing heli connectivity, safety and convenience for pilgrims visiting the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi.
“This helipad has been developed in strict compliance with the safety and operational norms laid down by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The facility places a paramount emphasis on passenger safety, security, and seamless travel experience, meeting the growing heli-services demand of the devotees. It will also provide a significant boost to religious tourism in the region,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention that the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, in collaboration with the Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board, has undertaken development of a modern Helipad/Heliport at Village Hutt, Katra as well as at Shiv Khori, to ensure convenience, safety and accessibility for pilgrims undertaking helicopter travel to holy shrines.
The infrastructure is based on technical inputs from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and operational requirements assessed by the Board. It is capable of accommodating enhanced passenger handling and helicopter operational capacity, including future shifting of the existing Serli Helipad operations to Village Hutt.
The project includes construction of the helipad and allied aviation infrastructure, development of a 1.10 km approach road, creation of an expanded terminal building with passenger amenities such as waiting halls, ticketing and refund counters, reception areas, offices and security cabins, as well as construction of a modern hangar facility and associated operational infrastructure.
The facility also includes provision of safety, security, sanitation, parking, utility services, emergency response systems and queue management facilities necessary for efficient heliport operations.
The project aims to create sufficient operational capacity for present and future helicopter traffic while addressing safety concerns related to helicopters flying over Katra town.
It also streamlines and professionalizes heli-services through centralized management and operation by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, leveraging its long-standing expertise in heli operations. It will also facilitate integrated pilgrimage connectivity between the two shrines from a common heliport and support development of pilgrim infrastructure in the Shri Shiv Khori Shrine area through collaborative institutional arrangements and financial assistance.
The occasion also marked the inauguration of the Helipad and other related works at the Shiv Khori Shrine.
The enhanced infrastructure will increase footfall at the shrine and make travel more convenient for pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi, who also wish to undertake pilgrimage to Shiv Khori.
Members of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board - Mahamandleshwar Shri Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj, Dr. Ashok Bhan, Suresh Kumar Sharma, Lalit Bhasin, Kulbushan Ahuja; Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Chief Executive Officer, SMVDSB; Kumar Abhishek, Deputy Commissioner, Reasi; Alok Maurya, Additional CEO SMVDSB; senior officials of the Shrine Board, police and District Administration and Border Roads Organization were present at the inaugural ceremony.
Katra already has two helipads at Katra city and Sanjichat to ferry pilgrims visiting the cave shrine of Vaishno Devi.