Following the success of helicopter lake tour in Nainital, the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) launched its Himalaya Darshan (Munsyari) helicopter taxi service from Haldwani on Monday. The helicopter taxi service was flagged off by the State Tourism minister Dinesh Dhanai here on Monday.
The minister said that the Himalaya Darshan helicopter service is being operated routinely in Uttarakhand. “People going on this helicopter trip will get to enjoy the views of mountains, valleys, rivers, Himalayan peaks and glaciers. All possible attempts are being made to boost tourism in the State. The Himalaya Darshan by helicopter will prove to be a milestone for Munsyari in the future. On the basis of tourist response, this concept will be expanded further in the future,” said the minister, while adding that the Himalaya Darshan scheme is being executed successfully in the Garhwal region.
Speaking on the occasion, Nainital district magistrate Deepak Rawat informed that the first phase of the scheme saw introduction of Nainital lake viewing from helicopter. Following the remarkably successful operation of this service, the second phase of Himalaya Darshan has been launched from Haldwani to Munsyari and will also prove to be a success, he said. The DM further informed that apart from tourists, this novel venture of the government will also benefit traders and the local populace. This service is being operated from the helidrome under construction at a site near the international sports stadium along the Gaula river, added Rawat.
The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam managing director Dhiraj Singh Garbyal informed that the Himalaya Darshan scheme will remain properly operational with online booking facility also being started for the scheme. After 35 per cent government subsidy, the round trip ticket cost has been set at Rs 17,185. The KMVN MD further informed that four tourists- Gopal Singh, Ramesh Sharma, Roop Singh Martoliya and Dhirendra Martoliya undertook the inaugural helicopter flight.