Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana has decided not to enhance fare charges of heli services for pilgrims of Machail Mata Yatrain Paddar area of Kishtwar district.

Official sources said that in view of the serious law and order problem created at Gulabgarh helipad due to withdrawal of security atGulabgarh/Machail on July 25 and 26, 2019, Deputy Commissioner held detailed deliberations over the matter and also announced to enhance the helicopter fare charges from Rs 2270 to Rs 2300 per passenger on verbal discussion so as to reimburse the security charges as demanded by the SSP Kishtwar, but no formal order was issued in this regard.

Subsequently, after the verbal announcement regarding the enhancement of fare charges strong resentment was noticed among the yatris and people across different corners of the State.

The official decision of non- enhancement of fare charges came after threadbare discussions while keeping in view the apprehension of lawand order problem in the whole region as well as probability of hurting these ntiments of a particular community wherein, strong protests were held at different corners against the abrupt increase of fare charges.

Further, it has been also observed that no security chargesare provided to the police authorities in oter flying sectors i.e Shri MataVaishno Devi, Katra and Shri Annual Machail Mata Yatra or in any other part ofthe state run by private aviation services.

Rana stated that in order to ensure that all comfort andfacilities are provided to the yatris, SSP Kishtwar was advised to deployadequate security personnel both at Gulabgarh and Machail helipads without anydelay in order to ensure the smooth conduct of yatra which has already beencommenced with effect from July 25, 2019.

It is pertinent to mention here that serious law and orderproblem was created at Gulabgarh helipad because of withdrawal of security atGulabgarh/Machail as on July 25 and 26 which got diffused and resolved after DCKishtwar intervened into the matter. The pilgrims of Machail Mata and people ofKishtwar area have lauded the decision of Deputy Commissioner for timely actioninto the matter and ensuring smooth and hassle free conduct of ongoing MachailMata Yatra.