On the day that the Tehri lake Adventure Tourism Festival was inaugurated in New Tehri, a hot air balloon caught fire above the dam reservoir while a helicopter made an unauthorised landing in the Koti Colony here.
Though the State government claims to have made proper arrangements for ensuring a successful and safe event sans hitches, the first day of the event was marred by incidents that have raised questions at the efficiency of the event organisers.
A helicopter operated by a private firm made an unauthorised landing at Koti Colony in the afternoon. According to the Tehri sub divisional magistrate Dr Abhishek Tripathi, on being asked to present the necessary documents, the helicopter operators were unable to do so. The chopper was seized by the district administration for about three hours after which the firm was made to pay a penalty of about Rs three lakh. The Civil Aviation department has also been directed to take action against the firm.
During the tourism festival itself, a hot air balloon with two people aboard the basket caught fire when floating above the dam reservoir. The two people jumped off the hot air balloon into the reservoir and avoided serious injury or worse.