No helicopter service for Amarnath yatra this year
Amarnath Yatra Routes Declared ‘No Flying Zone’: CM Omar Abdullah: Amarnath Yatra is going to start from 3rd July and will continue till 9th August. If you are also going to travel this year and you have thought that after reaching Jammu and Kashmir, you will easily reach Amarnath with the help of a helicopter service from Pahalgam or Baltal. So this time it will not happen. This time helicopter service will not be available during the Amarnath Yatra. These security instructions will apply from 01st July to 10th August.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has imposed air restrictions on the Pahalgam and Baltal routes on the advice of the Home Ministry to strengthen the security of the pilgrimage. Due to this, the entire pilgrimage route has now been declared a no-fly zone.
Restrictions on helicopter service
Earlier, most of the pilgrims used to reach Jammu and Kashmir to perform the Amarnath Yatra. After that, they could easily use a helicopter service from Pahalgam or Baltal to reach the pilgrimage site. Helicopter service was available from Neeru in Pahalgam, which used to take them to Panchtarni. They used to reach Panchtarni in 10 to 15 minutes. To reach Amarnath from Panchtarni, one had to walk 6 km. On the other hand, helicopter service was available from Baltal, which used to take from Baltal to Panchtarni. The long hours journey by helicopter was completed in just 10-15 minutes. This proved to be very helpful for the pilgrims. But this time helicopter facility will not be available.
“It will send the wrong message.”
Regarding this decision, CM Omar Abdullah said, Amarnath Yatra is a good thing. We also want the Amarnath Yatra to be conducted properly. Only one thing seems a little strange, that this time helicopter service is not being allowed. Its wrong message is also going to other countries.
The CM further said, Now I do not have the intelligence input based on which this decision was taken, but I think that after so many years, this is the first time that helicopters are not being allowed from Pahalgam and Baltal. It’s the wrong message that should not go to other countries in the context of Jammu and Kashmir.
why the decision was taken
This time, the government has decided to declare a no-fly zone on the Amarnath route due to security reasons. The Home Department of Jammu and Kashmir has declared all the routes of the Amarnath Yatra, including both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, as no-fly zones. This means that now you will not be able to travel further from Pahalgam and Baltal by helicopter. Also, this decision applies to all types of aerial devices, along with helicopters, which also include UAVs, drones, and balloons.
Under what circumstances will there be an exemption?
These security instructions will be applicable from 01 July to 10 August. However, this decision will not be applicable in some cases like medical emergencies, disaster management, or surveillance operations conducted by security forces. In these cases, aerial devices can be used.
The Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to take place from July 3 to August 9, 2025. A large number of devotees participate in the yatra. Arrangements are being made to ensure that there is no security lapse during this period. This step has been taken for security reasons.
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