Shimla, Jan 21
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated helicopter services from the Sanjauli Heliport in Shimla, marking a significant milestone in strengthening air connectivity and promoting tourism in Himachal Pradesh. With this inauguration, daily helicopter flights have commenced from Sanijauli Heliport to Bhuntar Airport in Kullu and to the ITBP Hellpad at Reckong-Peo throughout the week. Additionally, helicopter services between Chandigarh and Sanjaull Heliport will operate three days a week, viz: on Monday, Friday and Saturday.
The helicopter fare on the Sanjauli-Kullu route has been fixed at Rs. 3,500 per passenger, while the fare for the Saijauli Reckong Peo route has been set at Rs. 4,000 per passenger The fare from Sanjauli to Chandigarh has been fixed at Rs. 3,169 per passenger
The Chief Minister informed that helicopter services on the Sanjauli-Rampur-Reckong Peo and Sanjaull-Manali (SASE Helipad) routes would also be started soon. Proposals for these routes have already been submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for approval of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Congratulating the people of the State on the commencement of helicopter services, Sh Sukhu expressed hope that these services would greatly benefit stakeholders associated with the tourism sector. He said that the operation of flights from Sanjauli Heliport had been awaited for a long time and that this long-pending demand had finally been fulfilled. The new services will provide faster, safer and more convenient connectivity for tourists as well as the general public
The Chief Minister further stated that the Sanjauli Heliport was located close to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, which would make it extremely useful during medical emergencies. He reiterated that the State Government was making continuous efforts to promote tourism as Himachal Pradesh is renowned Globelly as a major tourist destination. The introduction of helicopter services will not only improve access to key tourist. destinations but will also strengthen the overall air connectivity network in the State.
Emphasizing the State Government’s focus on tourism promotion, Sh. Sukhu said that heliports were being constructed at every district headquarters as well as at other prominent tourist destinations. He added that construction work on four heliports at Jaskot in Hamirpur district, Rakkar and Palampur in Kangra district, and Chambe which will be completed by March-April with Rs. 15 crore being spent on each heliport. These heliports will encourage high-end tourists to visit Himachal Pradesh more frequently, thereby increasing income and employment opportunities for local people.
The Chief Minister stated that the present State Government was focused on creating essential infrastructure for both residents and tourists. He alleged that The previous BJP Government had wasted nearly Rs. 1,000 crore on the construction of buildings that remained unutilized and vacant.
It was informed that the foundation stone of the Sonjauli Heliport was laid on 13th September, 2017, during the tenure of the Congress Government. The heliport has been constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 15.86 crore. Although it was inaugurated on January 12, 2022, operations could not begin earlier due to absence of DCCA clearance. Owing to the persistent efforts of the present State Government, permission to operate flights was finally granted on 7th August, 2025. Prior to this, the DGCA and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security conducted several inspections, and all security related observations were duly addressed by the State Government
On the occasion. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation R.S. Bali. MLA Neeraj Nayar, Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Naresh Chouhan, Director Tourism Vivek Bhatia Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and other senior officers were present.
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