Shimla, Jan 22: Tourists could now board Helicopter service to Shimla from Chandigarh for less than a taxi fare, as the state launched Helitaxi Services on Wednesday, likely to give a major flip to the air connectivity of the hill destinations.
The move is aimed at improving accessibility, promoting tourism, and providing faster travel options in the difficult mountainous terrain.
According to official information, the fare for the helicopter service between Chandigarh and Shimla has been fixed at Rs 3,169 per passenger.
The service will operate three days a week—Monday, Friday, and Saturday—providing a time-saving alternative to the long and often congested road journey between the two capitals.
For intra-state connectivity, the fare from Shimla (Sanjoli Helipad) to Kullu-Manali has been set at Rs 3,500 per passenger, while the fare from Shimla to Reckong Peo in tribal Kinnaur district has been fixed at Rs 4,000 per passenger. These services would operate regularly, enhancing connectivity to remote and strategically important regions.
The helicopter services on the Shimla–Kullu and Shimla–Reckong Peo routes are being operated daily, making them especially useful for tourists, government officials, and local residents who otherwise face long travel hours due to challenging road conditions.
In addition, the government is considering expanding heli services to other routes, including Shimla–Dharamshala–Reckong Peo and Shimla–Manali, covering all major helipads in the state.
Proposals in this regard have already been forwarded to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for approval.
Officials said the initiative reflects the state’s long-standing emphasis on improving air connectivity while respecting the geographical realities of Himachal Pradesh.
The heli-taxi services are expected to play a significant role in strengthening tourism, emergency services, and overall regional development.