In an effort to provide ease to pilgrims to complete their Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has created an airbridge between Pithoragarh and Gunji to help airlift 1080 registered pilgrims to continue their onward journey.
The airbridge was created after the ministry of external affairs approached the defence ministry for air effort between the places where the connectivity was said to be poor.
“The IAF is ever ready to take over any task assigned by the government and thereafter ensures that it is executed in a most professional manner” said Air Cmmodore Sami J. Pendse of Western Air Command, who is overlooking the operations.
The command had been chosen by Air HQ for this task, especially due to the experience its helicopter pilots have in flying in mountainous terrain and landing at high altitudes, given the fact that Gunji is at an altitude of 3100 mts above the sea level, the IAF said.
“We have deployed three MLH class of helicopters at Pithoragarh which would be carrying approximately 60-80 passengers per day” said the task force commander positioned at Pithoragarh.
The helicopters, from the Kirpan and Nubra warrior units of the IAF, would be deployed for about three months catering for the return journey as well and would fly about 300 hrs in the duration of the operations.
In an effort to provide ease to pilgrims to complete their Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has created an airbridge between Pithoragarh and Gunji to help airlift 1080 registered pilgrims to continue their onward journey.
The airbridge was created after the ministry of external affairs approached the defence ministry for air effort between the places where the connectivity was said to be poor.
“The IAF is ever ready to take over any task assigned by the government and thereafter ensures that it is executed in a most professional manner” said Air Cmmodore Sami J. Pendse of Western Air Command, who is overlooking the operations.
The command had been chosen by Air HQ for this task, especially due to the experience its helicopter pilots have in flying in mountainous terrain and landing at high altitudes, given the fact that Gunji is at an altitude of 3100 mts above the sea level, the IAF said.
“We have deployed three MLH class of helicopters at Pithoragarh which would be carrying approximately 60-80 passengers per day” said the task force commander positioned at Pithoragarh.
The helicopters, from the Kirpan and Nubra warrior units of the IAF, would be deployed for about three months catering for the return journey as well and would fly about 300 hrs in the duration of the operations.
