J&K border districts Poonch, Rajouri get chopper services

Helicopter services linking the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch to Jammu started today with the J&K government hoping the move would boost tourism and economy of the region.
The government is also pursuing the proposal for Jammu- Rajouri-Poonch railway project with the central government to strengthen the connectivity to the twin border districts, J&K Civil Supplies Minister Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali said.
While Ali flagged off the chopper carrying five passengers at Rajouri, Rural Development Minister Abdul Haq flagged off the much awaited Jammu-Poonch helicopter service at Poonch, fulfilling the long pending demand of people of the districts.
Describing the chopper services as a "historic moment", Ali said the inter-regional connectivity through air, road and railway being key to development, has been accorded top priority by the state government.

"With this objective air service to far off regions of state like Kishtwar, Paddar, Gurez, Rajouri and Poonch has been started by the state government," he added.
In Poonch district, Haq who flagged off the first flight, carrying five passengers, said the service would connect the people of the area with rest of the state especially during adverse weather conditions besides giving a fillip to tourism in the two districts.