Preparations for the Chardham Yatra are in full swing, but pilgrims will have to pay higher fares for the Kedarnath helicopter service this year. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has signed a three-year agreement with nine aviation companies, leading to a fare hike of up to 5%.
Helicopter Ticket Booking and Fare Increase
Helicopter tickets will be available online through the IRCTC website. Services will operate from Guptkashi, Phata, and Sirsi helipads to Kedarnath. The same aviation companies as last year—including Pawan Hans, Himalayan Heli, Trans Bharat, Global Vectra, Thambi Aviation, Kestrel Aviation, and Aero Aircraft—will provide helicopter services.
The revised fares are as follows:
| Route | 2023 Fare (₹) | 2024 Fare (₹) | Proposed New Fare (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sirsi to Kedarnath | 5,498 | 5,772 | 6,061 |
| Phata to Kedarnath | 5,500 | 5,774 | 6,063 |
| Guptkashi to Kedarnath | 7,740 | 8,126 | 8,533 |
(Note: Fares are for round trips.)
Mandatory Registration for Yatra
For online booking of helicopter services, registration for the Chardham Yatra will be mandatory this year. Without registration, pilgrims will not be able to book tickets. A maximum of six seats can be booked per ID, while group bookings will allow up to 12 seats.
Registration to Begin After March 15
The opening dates for the temples have been announced:
- Gangotri and Yamunotri: April 30
- Kedarnath: May 2
- Badrinath: May 4
The state government is expected to start Yatra registrations after March 15 to facilitate planning for pilgrims.
To prevent black marketing and fraud in helicopter services, UCADA is implementing a strict SOP, ensuring transparency and regulation.
