PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The second phase of booking for helicopter services to Kedarnath will begin on May 7 through the official website of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) at heliyatra.irctc.co.in.
Authorities have urged pilgrims to avoid using any other website, social media pages or messaging links for ticket booking. They stated that any such attempts will be considered invalid and may lead to cyber fraud. The cyber crime police unit of the Special Task Force has also advised pilgrims to use only the official portal for booking. They warned against purchasing tickets through unauthorised agents or fake links, as it may result in financial loss or denial of travel.
Authorities have requested all pilgrims to plan their journey in advance, book only through the authorised portal and follow the travel guidelines issued by local officials. This year, helicopter fares have increased by five per cent. The round-trip fare from Sirsi to Kedarnath is Rs 6,061, from Phata to Kedarnath is Rs 6,063, and from Guptkashi to Kedarnath is Rs 8,533. Authorities have also reminded pilgrims to complete their travel registration before booking helicopter tickets. Nine helicopter companies are currently providing services to Kedarnath. The online booking for the first phase began at 12 PM on April 8. Tickets for the period from May 2 to May 31 were booked within two hours due to high demand.
The officials said that 1,250 tickets were available each day during the first phase that were sold out within two hours. The tickets are expected to be booked faster this time too. The officials said that further plans will be made based on the booking on May 7. They also stated that in case helicopter tickets are unavailable, other modes of travel to Kedarnath are still operational. Pilgrims can reach the shrine by foot, on horses or mules, or by using palanquin or basket services.
These services are operating under the supervision of the local administration. Authorities have requested all pilgrims to plan their journey in advance, book only through the authorised portal and follow the travel guidelines issued by local officials.
