Pawan Hans resumes daily services to Kedarnath

New Delhi, Sep 11 (UNI) Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd (PHHL) resumed its daily helicopter services (post monsoon) to the Kedarnath Shrine from today.

It is deploying a 5 seater Bell 407 helicopter from two places in Uttarakhand-- Augustmuni and Phata.

The services will be available tentatively up to October 22, an official release said.

Augustmuni is located 17 km beyond Rudraprayag en-route to Kedarnath. Rudraprayag is around 140 km from Rishikesh and is linked by good motor able roads.

The service originates from the helipad located at a playground in Augustmuni. The flying time is around 45 minutes for a round trip (Augustmuni-Kedarnath-Augustmuni).

To further facilitate the pilgrims, PHHL has constructed a helipad at Phata, which is around 50 km from Augustmuni enroute to Kedarnath and 18 km short of Gaurikund.

The distance from Gaurikund to Kedarnath is 14 km track, which is to be covered by the pilgrims on foot, 'palki' or by Mule.

By providing the facility of helicopter services from Phata, the flying time has been reduced to 20 minutes for a round trip (Phata-Kedarnath-Phata).

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