Shimla Takes To The Skies: CM Sukhu’s Heli Taxi Launch Promises A New Era Of Mountain Travel

High above Shimla’s winding hill roads, a long-delayed vision finally lifted off this week. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu formally inaugurated heli taxi services from the Sanjauli Heliport, marking a significant shift in how people will travel across Himachal Pradesh. For a state where distance is measured less in kilometres and more in curves, climbs and closures, the launch signals speed, access, and possibility.The introduction of the helicopter "taxi" service offers Himachal Pradesh a solution to one of the longest-standing issues it has had. The need to travel through the mountainous regions of the state to reach the urban areas such as Kullu, Kinnaur, and Chandigarh has been a very difficult challenge for many years. While in the past, people would spend an entire day travelling by road to get there, the helicopter taxi service now takes less than one hour. This means that tourists now have greater access to high altitude tourist sites in this part of Himachal Pradesh, as well as providing much easier and quicker commuting options for residents who have to travel for work, emergencies or other necessary trips.The service has been launched under the central government’s UDAN scheme, which focuses on making air travel affordable and improving regional connectivity. Despite being a helicopter service, fares have been capped to ensure the service is not limited to luxury travellers alone.Routes, Fares, And How The Service OperatesFrom the Sanjauli Heliport, flights now operate to Bhuntar in Kullu, Reckong Peo in Kinnaur and Chandigarh. The Shimla to Bhuntar route operates daily with seats priced at INR 3,500. Flights to Reckong Peo also run daily at a fare of INR 4,000 per seat. The Shimla to Chandigarh sector operates three times a week on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with tickets priced at just over INR 3,100.Services are scheduled to run throughout the year, though operations remain subject to weather conditions, a reality of flying in the Himalayas.For decades, travel in Himachal has depended almost entirely on narrow mountain roads that are vulnerable to landslides, snowfall and long traffic snarls. During winters and monsoons, entire regions can feel cut off. The heli taxi service introduces a faster, safer option that can operate when road travel becomes difficult or impossible.The location of the Sanjauli Heliport also plays a crucial role. Situated close to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, the facility strengthens emergency response capabilities, allowing quicker medical transfers from remote districts.The Work Behind The ServiceAlthough the Sanjauli Heliport was completed several years ago at a cost of nearly INR 16 crore, it remained unused due to pending regulatory approvals. Inaugurated in 2022, the facility awaited clearance from aviation authorities before it could host commercial flights. Final approvals came only in August last year, paving the way for the service to finally become operational.The launch, therefore, represents not just a new service but the activation of long-idle infrastructure.The state government is already looking beyond the current routes. Plans are in place to add more heli taxi connections, including sectors linking Shimla with Rampur, Reckong Peo and Manali. Additional heliports are also being developed across Himachal in districts such as Hamirpur, Palampur, Kangra, and Chamba.The broader goal of the heli taxi services is to connect the state with aerial routes. The availability of these aerial routes during all months means that the state will remain sustainable irrespective of the seasonality of road connections.The state leaders have indicated that the heli taxi service is not only intended for ease of travel, but will also strengthen the state's tourism economy through increased exposure to difficult-to-reach areas throughout the state. With increased exposure to remote areas, the state is looking to increase visitation numbers, increase the length of stays, and create new jobs in the areas of aviation, hospitality and other supporting services.The heli taxi services will also play a role in responding to and managing emergencies and disasters, as well as supporting the state's ability to manage emergencies due to the weather. With this, the state is entering an era where the distance between locations is no longer determined simply by the geography of the area. The heli taxi services provide speed in travel to the hill towns, travel confidence for visitors, and renewed emphasis on improving tourism infrastructure. The state and Shimla are finally opening the skies for visitors.FAQs1. What is Shimla’s new heli taxi service?The heli taxi is a helicopter-based passenger service operating from Sanjauli Heliport, offering faster connectivity to key destinations in Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.2. Which routes are covered by the Shimla heli taxi?Flights currently operate from Shimla to Bhuntar in Kullu, Reckong Peo in Kinnaur, and Chandigarh, with varying frequencies through the week.3. How much does a heli taxi ticket from Shimla cost?Fares range from around INR 3,100 to INR 4,000 per seat, depending on the route, with prices capped under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.4. Is the heli taxi service available year-round?Yes, the service is planned to operate throughout the year, although flights remain subject to weather conditions in the Himalayan region.5. How will heli taxis impact tourism in Himachal Pradesh?The service improves access to remote areas, reduces travel time, supports emergency response, and is expected to boost tourism, employment, and infrastructure development.From The Latest Issue: Chandratal Lake, Himachal Pradesh And A Quiet Himalayan Journey