Satyam starting regular heli service to Muktinath Temple

POKHARA, April 14: Satyam Tours and Travels (STT) is starting regular chopper service to Muktinath Temple in Mustang district from Pokhara from Wednesday.

Amrit Adhikari, proprietor of STT, said they were chartering a 24-seater MI17 helicopter from Shree Airlines to operate the service. “We are launching the service targeting pilgrims from Nepal and India,” he said, adding: “The service will provide some relief to pilgrims who are facing problems due to lack of sufficient flights on Pokhara-Jomsom route.”

The chopper will land in a helipad situated about a kilometer below the temple.

Adhikari said the service will help pilgrims, especially those from India, who are worried by lack of flights and syndicate imposed by transport entrepreneurs on Beni-Jomsom road. “By using our service, pilgrims can return to Pokhara on the same day after paying homage at the temple,” he added.

It takes at least three days from Pokhara to reach Muktinath and return to Pokhara through surface transport. Similarly, those flying directly to Jomsom can return to Pokhara next day only.

At present, only Tara Air operates scheduled daily flights on Pokhara-Jomsom route. Simrik Airlines is preparing to launch Pokhara-Jomsom flights within few days.

SST is charging Rs 30,000 per person for the roundtrip heli service. “Though the service is a bit expensive, it will be very useful for senior citizens and people with disability,” added Adhikari.

“We decided to start chopper service as we have to face lot of problems while taking pilgrims through Beni-Jomsom route,” he added.

This is not the first time that the company has introduced scheduled helicopter service to the Muktinath Temple. It had started the service in 2004. However, it withdrew the service in 2008 following protest by the locals of Muktinath.

“We decided to join Satyam in operating regular chopper service to Muktinath Temple considering the problems being faced by pilgrims,” Shree Airlines manager Anil Manadhar said.

Source: Republica