SHIMLA-19 October, 2026
Helicopter service between Sanjauli and Rampur to commence from 21October, 2026
A Spokesperson for the state government informed here today that helicopter services between Sanjauli and Rampur will commence from October 21, 2026. The helicopter service will also be available from Rampur to Reckong Peo. The service will operate three days a week i.e., on Monday, Friday and Saturday.
The helicopter will depart from Sanjauli at 9:55 AM and arrive at Rampur at 10:30 AM. It will then depart from Rampur for Reckong Peo at 10:50 AM, reaching its destination at 11:25 AM. Similarly, the helicopter will depart from Reckong Peo for Rampur at 11:30 AM and arrive at 12:05 PM. The return flight from Rampur to Sanjauli will depart at 12:10 PM and reach Sanjauli at 12:45 PM. The initiative aims to strengthen air connectivity and provide convenient transportation facilities to people living in the remote and inaccessible areas of the state.
He said that during his visit to the Rampur area of Shimla district, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu interacted with local residents and realised the need to strengthen connectivity for people living in far-flung areas. Keeping in view their difficulties and transportation requirements, the Chief Minister had announced the introduction of helicopter services between Sanjauli and Rampur. On his directions, Pawan Hans Limited (PHL) has requested to commence helicopter operations on the Shimla-Rampur route under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) UDAN.
The spokesperson said that the proposed service would help ease travel-related difficulties for the people of Rampur by providing an alternative means of reaching Shimla. He said that under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) UDAN 5.1, routes connecting Shimla, Rampur, Reckong Peo, Kullu, Manali, Mandi and Chandigarh have been awarded to Heritage Aviation and Pawan Hans Limited.
He said that Heritage Aviation is operating RCS flights on the Shimla–Reckong Peo, Shimla–Kullu–Shimla and Chandigarh–Mandi via Kullu routes. Meanwhile, Pawan Hans Limited operates helicopter services between Shimla (Sanjauli) and Chandigarh three days a week under the RCS. An additional flight is operated once a week under the State Regional Connectivity Scheme, for which the state government bears 100 percent of the Viability Gap Funding (VGF), amounting to approximately Rs. 35.70 lakh permonth. These arrangements ensure air connectivity between Chandigarh and Shimla on all seven days of the week. -============================
Chief Minister addresses Anti-Chitta Walkathon
· Announces state-level status for Shahpur Dussehra Festival
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today addressed the Anti-Chitta Walkathon in Shahpur virtually from Shimla and urged people to join hands to fight drug abuse and build a drug-free Himachal Pradesh.
He said that the Anti-Chitta Walkathon was organized in Shahpur Assembly constituency of Kangra district to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse and encourage public participation in the campaign against chitta, a highly addictive drug. School students, public representatives and local residents took part in the walkathon and expressed their commitment to building a drug-free society.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that chitta not only destroys an individual’s life but also seriously affects families and society. It puts the future of young people at risk and harms their education, health and social well-being. He stressed that the youth are the future of the nation and protecting them from drug abuse is a shared responsibility of the government and every citizen.
He urged students to understand the harmful effects of drugs and spread awareness among their friends and in their communities. He encouraged young people to take part in sports, education, creative activities and other positive pursuits to lead healthy and meaningful lives.
The Chief Minister also appealed to parents, teachers, social organizations and public representatives to pay special attention to children and young people. He said that collective efforts and public participation were essential to turning the campaign against drug abuse into a people’s movement.
He further said that the state government was committed to curbing the illegal trade in chitta, taking strict action against drug traffickers and dismantling drug networks. He added that the government’s efforts were not limited to enforcement but also focused on protecting young people from drug abuse and creating a drug-free environment through public awareness. He urged citizens to share information about drug-related activities with the concerned authorities and support the campaign.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced to grant state-level status to Shahpur Dussehra Festival. He said that it would give a major boost to the region’s cultural traditions.
Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, who was present at the Dussehra Ground in Shahpur, thanked the Chief Minister for the announcement and his support for the area. He said that extensive public awareness campaigns were being organized in Shahpur to eliminate chitta and that the walkathon was part of these ongoing efforts.
Advocate General Anoop Rattan said that public awareness and the active participation of citizens were essential to eliminating chitta from Himachal Pradesh. He stressed that the problem could only be tackled through collective efforts and urged people to come forward and support the campaign against drug abuse.
Public representatives, Students and local residents also participated in the Anti-Chitta Walkathon.
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IAS Officer Rakesh Kumar Prajapati presents his first novel ‘Lighter Than Yesterday’ to Chief Minister
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Rakesh Kumar Prajapati today presented a copy of his debut novel, ‘Lighter Than Yesterday’, to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here.
The Chief Minister congratulated Rakesh Kumar Prajapati on his first novel and wished him success in his literary journey. Appreciating his creative endeavour, he expressed hope that the book would inspire readers towards positive thinking, introspection and a deeper understanding of various aspects of life.
The novel marks an important step in Rakesh Kumar Prajapati’s literary journey and creative expression. His effort to explore human emotions and diverse aspects of life through literature, alongside his administrative responsibilities, is noteworthy.
Earlier, Rakesh Kumar Prajapati had also presented the book to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.