Chopper service for Durga Puja in Tripura

The Tripura government on Tuesday launched a helicopter service for Durga Puja revellers and sightseers to enable them to get an aerial view of tourist spots and puja celebrations in Agartala, an official said.

The chopper service, run by state-owned Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC), will be a 15-minute trip for each sortie in and around the state's capital city.

For sightseeing and witnessing Durga Puja, the per-head fare for an adult is Rs.1,400 and for children below 12 years it is Rs.1,200, TRTC managing director Keshab Kar told IANS.

He said: "The joy rides would be conducted in eight-seater double-engine choppers of the Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd. (PHHL). The rides would be conducted till October 23."

The state government has subsidised the fare.

Subsequently, tours by helicopter are likely to be started in the district towns and other areas of the state, an official of the transport department said.

Inspector General of Tripura Police (police control) Nepal Das said vigil along the India-Bangladesh border and trouble torn areas has been tightened with the deployment of additional Border Security Force personnel.

Paramilitary forces Assam Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), along with Tripura State Rifles, have intensified their counter-insurgency operations in the terrorist-prone and hilly areas of the northeastern state to foil any attempt at disturbing the festivities, Das added.

CCTVs (closed circuit television) and metal detectors have been installed near the puja pandals and other sensitive locations.

Over 20,000 security personnel and quick reaction teams besides bomb and dog squads have been deployed across Tripura.

Official said that intelligence networks have been activated. Police pickets have been set up and mobile and foot patrolling initiated.

In a slight increase fro last year, around 2,510 community and about 100 family Durga Pujas, including 1,415 in rural and interior areas, are being organised in Tripura.