Helicopter service to Trimbakeshwar proposed for Nashik Simhastha Kumbh from Mumbai, Pune and other cities

Lakhs of devotees are expected at the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela. To make their journey easier, the administration has put forward an air travel option. It is working on a plan to set up a heliport at Trimbakeshwar and bring devotees by private helicopter to a point near the temple complex.

If private helicopter operators respond positively to the proposal, a trial service could begin from November 2. The service is, however, only a proposal for now. A final decision on when it will actually start and what it will cost is yet to be taken.

Under the plan, Trimbakeshwar could be reached directly by helicopter from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Surat, Jalgaon, Dhule and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. It is said the journey from these cities would take only 40 to 50 minutes. Helicopters carrying 6 to 8 passengers are proposed for the service. The aim is to save the time spent on road travel and to manage the movement of devotees better on crowded days.

Three helipads were built at Trimbakeshwar for the visit of President Droupadi Murmu. The administration intends to use these. It has been proposed to expand the facility and offer paid darshan packages in cooperation with private aviation services and helicopter operators.

To help devotees reach the Trimbakeshwar temple and Kushavarta Tirth easily after landing, arrangements will be coordinated with local taxi operators. The plan is to add a separate transport arrangement for the onward journey from the helipad. This would save devotees time and could also create new earning opportunities for local taxi drivers.

According to the proposal given to private helicopter operators, the intention is to offer the air journey, local transport and darshan, along with an entry pass of about Rs 2,500, in a single package. The target is to complete darshan at Trimbakeshwar in just 4 hours through this arrangement. With heavy crowds expected during the Kumbh Mela, the service could prove useful.

If the service gets a good response during the coming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, continuing it permanently after the Kumbh will be considered. For now it is only a proposal. An official announcement is still awaited on when the service will begin, what the final package charge will be and what the terms of travel will be.