Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana has decided not to enhance fare charges of heli services for pilgrims of Machail Mata Yatra in 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 at Gulabgarh/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 law and order problem in the whole region as well as probability of hurting the sentiments 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 charges are provided to the police authorities in other flying sectors i.e Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra and Shri Annual Machail Mata Yatra or in any other part of the state run by private aviation services. Rana stated that in order to ensure that all comfort and facilities are provided to the yatris, SSP Kishtwar was advised to deploy adequate security personnel both at Gulabgarh and Machail helipads without any delay in order to ensure the smooth conduct of yatra which has already been commenced with effect from July 25, 2019. It is pertinent to mention here that serious law and order problem was created at Gulabgarh helipad because of withdrawal of security at Gulabgarh/Machail as on July 25 and 26 which got diffused and resolved after DC Kishtwar intervened into the matter. The pilgrims of Machail Mata and people of Kishtwar area have lauded the decision of Deputy Commissioner for timely action into the matter and ensuring smooth and hassle free conduct of ongoing Machail Mata Yatra.
