*Major initiative by Dhami government: Garhwal division now connected to air services*
*New flights, new hopes: Dehradun to Tehri, Srinagar, and Gauchar now connected by air*
*Heli service wins travelers’ hearts, beneficial in both time and safety*
*Dehradun, December 6, 2025 (News)*
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s commitment to air connectivity in the mountains is rapidly coming to fruition. Following the Kumaon division, air services have now begun in the Garhwal division. On Saturday, air services began operating from Jolly Grant Airport to the major cities of the Garhwal division: Dehradun, Tehri, Srinagar, and Gauchar. The launch of these new routes has brought renewed energy and enthusiasm to the entire region.
At the initiative of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, a new 6-seater helicopter service has been launched under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN), which will connect the major cities of the Garhwal division directly to the capital. The new helicopter service will operate two daily flights from Dehradun to the Koti Colony helipad in New Tehri, Srinagar, and Gauchar. This will significantly reduce travel time and make travel in these areas more convenient. The state government states that these services will not only improve connectivity in the hilly areas but will also significantly improve tourism, employment, and disaster management.
The first helicopter service will depart from Jolly Grant Airport at 10:15 am for Tehri, Srinagar, and Gauchar. As per the schedule, the helicopter service will return directly to Dehradun at 11 am. Following the same schedule, the second flight will operate from Jolly Grant at 2:30 pm, following the same route to Tehri, Srinagar, and Gauchar.
The fare from Jolly Grant Airport to Tehri has been fixed at ₹2,000 per passenger. The fare from Tehri to Srinagar has been fixed at ₹1,000 per person, while passengers will also have to pay ₹1,000 per person for traveling from Srinagar to Gochar. On the first day of the helicopter service, the first flight from Dehradun to Gochar carried three passengers. Five passengers traveled from Dehradun to Tehri and Gochar on the afternoon flight.
Travellers reported that this helicopter service has not only made travel easier, but is also promoting tourism, providing faster movement for local people, and boosting business activities. Vikas Chauhan, traveling from Dehradun to Gopeshwar, said, “The helicopter service launched by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to promote regional connectivity is truly commendable.” This allows us to travel in less time, and the helicopter service will prove to be very helpful in times of emergency.”
Previously, under the Chief Minister’s Regional Connectivity Scheme, air connectivity has been provided to major cities like Champawat, Pithoragarh, Munsyari, and Almora from Doon, Nainital, Bageshwar, and Haldwani. This helicopter service is not just an air journey, but a pledge to simplify and ease the difficulties of the mountains.
