Jammu, Aug 16 : Air service to Mata Machail from Gulabgarh has got affected after some technical snag broke out in one of the choppers in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. "Yesterday one of the helicopters ferrying pilgrims to Machail from Gulabgarh developed technical snag after landing at Machail," a senior official here told . He said due to shortage of space at helipad in Machail, helicopter service remained suspended from Gulabgarh. "The snag hit chopper has been shifted to other location and helicopter service from Gulabgarh to Machail resumed from today partially," he added. He however, said that the matter has been reported to the concerned authorities in New Delhi for prompt action so that the pilgrims who have registered their helicopter ticket do not suffer. "Presently two choppers are operating upto Machail," he added. Earlier on August 5, chopper service started for pilgrims from Gulabgarh to Machail after the clearance from the Director General Civil Aviation authorities. On August 4, Machail Yatra pilgrims protested and shouted slogans against the administration for non-availability of choppers. The yatra started from August 1 and devotees reached to the Paddar village including those who had booked their tickets. Pertinent to mention here that the rates for helicopter services from Gulabgarh to Machail from this year have been substantially reduced for the Machail Yatra scheduled from August 1 to 31. Pilgrims above 12 years of age shall have to pay Rs 1,550, while the pilgrims aged between 2 to 12 years shall have to pay Rs 1,400. The child up to two years shall be flown free of cost by the operators. M/s Pawan Hans Ltd. and M/s UT Air India Pvt. Ltd were awarded contract this year for operating their helicopters to ferry pilgrims from Gulabgarh to Machail and back. The heli services have been offered by the Government to facilitate the pilgrims in the rough and difficult terrain of Kishtwar valley. UNI
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