Global Vectra Helicorps and Himalayan Heli Services have been awarded contracts to carry out helicopter operations between Katra and Sanjichhat in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir for devotees who come to offer obeisance at the Vaishno Devi Shrine from April 1.
The selection was concluded after an elaborate exercise for evaluating bids, involving an expert from Directorate General of Civil Aviation, M.K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, said on Friday.
At present, the heli-operations are being carried out by Global Vectra and Pawan Hans Ltd, who were awarded three-year contracts through a similar open tender process in 2011, he said, adding that the contracts are ending on March 31.
Mr. Bhandari said the helicopter ticket rates had been finalised on the basis of the lowest bid received and that they will become operative from April 1.
One way Katra-Sanjichhat ticket would cost Rs 1,039 per passenger and a round trip would cost Rs 2,078, he said.
Global Vectra and Himalayan Heli services had been ferrying pilgrims on the Shri Amarnathji Yatra for many years, he added.