Heli-tourism service to gain momentum in Bengal

The state govt has proposed that major industrial and tourism hubs be connected through helicopters

Days after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee signed an MoU with state-owned Pawan Hans Ltd to avail services of sea-planes, helicopters and fixed-wing planes to boost its tourism and industrial potential, the private

Prayag Aviation, a business unit of Prayag Group announced the launch of heli-tourism service, the company said today.

It has launched 'Kolkata Darshan' package which provides aerial views of city landmarks such as river Hooghly, Howrah Bridge, Victoria memorial and others on a 10-minute ride with a Rs 2,000 per head price tag.

Charter services to nearby holiday destinations like Digha, Chandrakona, Mandarmoni, Sunderbans along with easy access to significant pilgrimage destinations like Tarapith, Mayapur, Joyrambati or Kamarpukur can be availed at a price of Rs 90,000 an hour, the company said in a statement.

The state government has also proposed that major industrial and tourism hubs be connected through helicopters.

"There are areas like Raichak, Haldia, Kalyani, Sunderbans, Bolpur which have enough potential. We also want to connect Malda, Siliguri, Coochbehar etc. We can start fixed service for that, Banerjee had said. The state government had also offered subsidy for some fixed routes but only for Pawan Hans service.