The Civil Aviation Ministry on Tuesday announced the start of a chopper service between Delhi and Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. The service, a joint effort with UP Tourism, will start from Wednesday.

The one-way ticket to the holy city will cost Rs 3,900 per person, while the return fare has been fixed at Rs 7,000 per passenger.

The helicopters, run by Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited, will be available from Terminal 1-D of the IGI Airport. The inaugural flight will be flagged off from Vrindavan at 1.30 pm by Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh’s son and Rashtriya Lok Dal MP Jayant Chaudhary.

According to Ministry’s spokesperson, the service can be booked over the phone (011-24652878 or 9868123667), on the website (www.pawanhans.co.in) or via e-mail sent to vrindavan@pawanhans.co.in.

Pawan Hans has a mixed fleet of about 50 helicopters, which fly to pilgrimage centres such as Vaishnodevi, Kedarnath, Amarnath and Badrinath. It is also operating services in Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.

The firm is also planning to start services in Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh.

The company recently conducted a detailed study in UP to connect the Buddhist circuit. (Indian Express)