Helicopter service, launched for the view of lake in Nainital district on Saturday, was flagged off by Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) chairman Kiran Mandal, vice chairman Gopal dutt Bhatt and Nainital DM Deepak Rawat.
On the inaugural day, helicopter made three sorties and in each sortie, five persons were taken on view of Naini lake. Rawat said that to promote tourism, the service has been launched. Initially the heli service is taking off from FTI and it will be available for two days - Saturday and Sunday. “later the service would start from Helodrum Gaulapar, Haldwani which is under construction now. Currently, the State government is giving 35 percent rebate so that the user can avail the service by paying Rs 3993 per person. Currently we are taking on tour to main lake of Nainital district and later we would take the tourists for Himalaya Darshan from Helodrum,” he added.
KMVN chairman Mandal said that initially the service is being run as pilot project and will continue till February 20116. Tourists are being taken on tour for a 20- minute ride and during the ride they are being shown the principal lake of the district, he said, adding that the booking is being made by KMVN.
KMVN general manager Trilok Singh Martolia said that in its first flight, Ranjit singh Rawat, Dan Singh Mer, Devendra Joshi, BS Negi and Mohammad Jaid were taken on darshan of the beautiful lake.