Uttarakhand is set to boost regional air connectivity with the launch of a new heritage heli service between Dehradun and Gauchar under the Centre’s UDAN scheme. The service, scheduled to begin from tomorrow, will operate two flights daily, offering faster and more convenient travel to residents and tourists. Authorities have confirmed that ticket booking for the new route has already begun.
This initiative aims to bridge the gap between the state’s capital and remote hill regions, reducing long road travel times across the mountainous terrain. The helicopter service will connect Dehradun with New Tehri, Srinagar, and finally Gauchar, significantly improving accessibility to the Garhwal region. The helicopter used for this service is a small, six-seater aircraft, designed to operate efficiently in hilly areas where runway-based flights are not feasible.
The Uttarakhand government and aviation authorities have stated that the service will play a crucial role in boosting tourism, improving regional mobility, and supporting emergency travel needs. For people living in remote parts of Chamoli and Tehri districts, the new air route will save hours of road travel, particularly during the monsoon and winter seasons when landslides and snowfall often disrupt road connectivity.
Under the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity scheme, the central government has been working to make air travel affordable and accessible across India’s underserved regions. Uttarakhand has seen several such routes open in recent years, linking cities like Pithoragarh, Munsyari, Almora, Haldwani, and Bageshwar through helicopter services. The new Dehradun–Gauchar link adds another important connection to the expanding aerial network.
Tourism officials believe this launch will significantly benefit travellers during pilgrimage seasons, especially for destinations such as Kedarnath, Badrinath, and other Garhwal sites. With Gauchar serving as an important transit point, the service is expected to draw tourists looking for quicker and more comfortable travel options.
Operational details such as fares, payload limits, and reporting requirements are expected to be announced shortly by the carrier. Authorities have advised passengers to book early, given the limited seating capacity and potential increase in demand during peak travel months.
As Uttarakhand continues to strengthen its heli-connectivity infrastructure, the state is positioning itself as a more accessible, tourist-friendly hill destination. The launch of the Dehradun–Gauchar heritage heli service marks another major step toward improving mobility, promoting tourism, and ensuring better connectivity for remote Himalayan communities.
