In big boost to Kumaon-Garhwal connectivity, Doon-Pithoragarh-Pantnagar flight has been started. The flight reduced travel time from 20 hours (by road) to just 50 minutes (by air). It takes around 20 hours to cover 450 km between Dehradun and Pithoragarh by road but the commencement of this new flight has now made travel easier and faster.
“With the commencement of this service, Pithoragarh can be reached from Dehradun in an hour’s time. This will facilitate the people of the areas adjoining the Nepal and China borders,” the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said at the launch.
The flight has been started under UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme and will be operated by Heritage Aviation, provider of heli-services during the Char Dham Yatra at Kedarnath.
The flight facilitates the people of the areas adjoining Nepal and China border while also boosting tourism.
The first flight took off on Jan 17 and for nine days a 9-seater plane was deployed on the route. The aircraft leaved Dehradun at 9.30 am and reaches Pithoragarh at 10.20 am. After a halt of 20-minute, the aircraft leaves for Pantnagar and arrives there at 11.10 am.
The trip from Dehradun to Pithoragarh costs Rs 1,570 while the fare from Pithoragarh to Pantnagar is Rs 1,410.
Tourism secretary and Civil Aviation secretary in-charge Dilip Jawalkar said that this will be the second air-service to be launched under the UDAN scheme for the convenience of people living in the areas along Nepal and China border.
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