Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurates helicopter services from Sanjauli Heliport in Shimla, marking a major step towards strengthening air connectivity and promoting tourism in Himachal Pradesh. With the launch, daily helicopter flights have commenced from Sanjauli to Bhuntar Airport in Kullu and to the ITBP Helipad at Reckong Peo. In addition, helicopter services between Chandigarh and Sanjauli Heliport will operate three days a week—on Monday, Friday and Saturday.
The fare for the Sanjauli–Kullu route has been fixed at ₹3,500 per passenger, while the Sanjauli–Reckong Peo route is priced at ₹4,000 per passenger. The fare for travel between Sanjauli and Chandigarh has been set at ₹3,169 per passenger.
The Chief Minister informed that helicopter services on the Sanjauli–Rampur–Reckong Peo and Sanjauli–Manali (SASE Helipad) routes will 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.
Congratulating the people of the state, Sh. Sukhu said the commencement of helicopter services would significantly benefit tourism stakeholders and fulfil a long-pending demand. He noted that the services would provide faster, safer and more convenient connectivity for tourists as well as residents.
Highlighting the strategic location of the Sanjauli Heliport near Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, the Chief Minister said it would be particularly useful during medical emergencies. He reiterated the State Government’s commitment to promoting tourism, stating that improved air connectivity would enhance access to key destinations and strengthen the overall transport network.
The Chief Minister further said that heliports are being developed at every district headquarters and major tourist destinations. Four heliports at Jaskot (Hamirpur), Rakkar and Palampur (Kangra), and Chamba are under construction and are expected to be completed by March–April, with an investment of ₹15 crore each. These initiatives are aimed at attracting high-end tourists and generating employment and income for local communities.
It was also shared that the foundation stone of the Sanjauli Heliport was laid on 13 September 2017 and the facility was constructed at a cost of approximately ₹15.86 crore. Although inaugurated in January 2022, operations began after DGCA clearance was granted on 7 August 2025 following multiple inspections and compliance with all security requirements.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation R.S. Bali, MLA Neeraj Nayar, Principal Media Advisor Naresh Chauhan, Director Tourism Vivek Bhatia, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap and other senior officials were present on the occasion.
