Indore: Pawan Hans Ltd will operate helicopter service to Ujjain during Simhastha, beginning from April 22.

The company had approached the state government for starting the helicopter services during the Kumbh and received an initial sanction. "Pawan Hans has been allowed to build a helipad near Triveni Ghat for operating the services for pilgrims during the festival," Bhupendra Singh, state transport minister and in-charge of Ujjain, told TOI. The services are expected to help old and handicapped pilgrims who may face problems in walking long distances for taking a holy dip in Kshipra river during Simhastha, he said, adding the pilgrims will alight at the Triveni Ghat and can take a dip in the river.

However, Pawan Hans Ltd is yet to declare details of the services it plans to start in Ujjain. Over 5 crore people are expected to attend Simhastha during the month, from April 22 to May 21. Though Ujjain district administration had made elaborate arrangements for managing the crowd, the pilgrims will have to walk long distances to reach the temple site and banks of Kshipra river to take the holy dip. The helicopter service is expected to take them straight to the river for performing rituals. Singh said the state government was open to other aviation firms starting services during Simhastha. "Though we have not received any application for chartered plane services, we are ready to allow the firms to operate from Ujjain airstrip, if they wish to start it," the minister said.