Helicopter Services to Mata Vaishno Devi Temple Resume After Tensions Ease

Resumption of Helicopter Services

Officials have announced that helicopter services to the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir have resumed on Wednesday, following a week-long suspension due to military tensions between India and Pakistan. This development comes just a day after flight operations were reinstated at 32 airports, including Jammu and Srinagar, as hostilities between the two neighboring countries subsided. A representative from the temple board confirmed, "Helicopter services to Mata Vaishno Devi Temple have recommenced this morning after being halted for the past seven days."

Increase in Pilgrim Numbers

Anshul Garg, the CEO of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, noted that as conditions improve, the number of pilgrims is also on the rise. Jammu Airport has resumed its operations, and with the commencement of civilian flights, the helicopter services have also been reinstated. In addition to online bookings, pilgrims can now access air services directly from the current counter. The board is ensuring that all services provided to the pilgrims are in place, and there is optimism that the number of visitors will increase in the coming days. Security measures from Katra to the temple are robust, and due to the current lower number of devotees, special arrangements are being made to offer free services for the Garbhajoon and Atka Aarti on a first-come, first-served basis.

Surge in Pilgrim Visits

After a noticeable decline earlier this month, there has been a rapid increase in the number of pilgrims visiting the temple. Officials reported that battery car services for pilgrims are also operational. Since January of this year, over 3 million pilgrims have visited the temple, compared to 9.48 million last year. There is hope that this number will significantly rise. Shubham Kumar, a pilgrim from Delhi, expressed satisfaction with the resumption of helicopter services and the arrangements made by the shrine board.

Visual Update

#WATCH | Reasi, J&K: Helicopter services from Katra to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhavan resume after they halted due to tensions between India and Pakistan pic.twitter.com/Yjq76dU5jE

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