Ganjam, Feb, 19: Heli-taxi service will soon be available at Maa Taratarini Temple in Ganjam district. Like a hired vehicle, this helicopter taxi will provide services connecting Taratarini, Chilika Lake, Satapada, Narayani, and Gopalpur Beach. By paying just ₹2,000, both locals and tourists will be able to ride the helicopter and visit major tourist destinations of the district, according to the State Commerce and Transport Minister.
Before launching the heli-taxi service, a trial run was conducted today from the Rangeilunda airstrip near Berhampur/Gopalpur.
Ganjam district has more than ten major tourist destinations. Maa Taratarini shrine, Gopalpur Beach, Chilika, and Maa Narayani temple attract visitors throughout the year. To draw more tourists, facilities like ropeway services at Taratarini, boating at Tampara, and an adventure park at Gopalpur Beach have already been introduced. As a continuation of these initiatives, the government is planning to introduce heli-taxi services in the district. The minister also informed that similar services are planned for Puri and Sambalpur.
Through this service, tourists will be able to travel from one place to another by helicopter and enjoy aerial views of tourist spots. The plan is to begin the service from Taratarini Peetha. A preliminary survey flight was conducted from Rangeilunda airstrip, with district officials and local representatives traveling by helicopter to review the tourist locations from the air.
In the coming days, the heli-taxi will take off from Rangeilunda airstrip, fly over Gopalpur Beach, then to Chilika and Satapada, circle Maa Taratarini Temple, and return. Depending on tourist demand, the helicopter may operate 10 to 12 trips a day. Discussions are underway with the concerned departments, and the final fare structure will be fixed soon.
It is worth noting that during the previous government, bus services had been introduced to connect various tourist spots in Ganjam, but due to operational issues the service failed and the buses were later parked unused. Now the government is trying the heli-taxi model. Its success will be seen over time. Many residents have requested that the heli-taxi fare be fixed at an affordable rate for local people.
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