Copter rides in Vizag may start in October: AP HRD minister

Visakhapatnam (AP), Aug 24 (PTI) With an aim to attractmore tourists, helicopter rides to three places around thecity are expected to start in October this year, AndhraPradesh minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao said here today. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was today signed herebetween Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) andSky Choppers Logistics Pvt Ltd in this regard. "Heli-tourism services (to three destinations) from VUDAPark to Kailasagiri, Bheemili and Araku Valley are expected totake off from Dassehra this year," the state HRD ministersaid. VUDA would construct a helipad and three rooms on aroundtwo acres of land in VUDA Park and would charge Rs 50,000 permonth from Sky Choppers for providing these facilities, Raosaid. The minister said Rs 2,000 per head are likely to becharged for the VUDA Park-Kailasagiri ride, while it can be Rs5,000 for Araku ride. "But the final fares will be fixed in October only," headded. The copter ride from VUDA Park to Kailasagiri and backwould take around seven minutes, while the ride to ArakuValley would take for around 20 minutes, Rao said adding, Rs10 lakh insurance cover would be provided for the travellersin the copter. C J Chandrasekhar of Sky Choppers said, "Once VUDAcompletes the helipad, we will obtain clearance from theDirectorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for operations." Rao said that plans are afoot for developing 14 placesunder coastal corridor project with Rs 100 crore investment. "Besides, there is a proposal to develop a tribal circuittourism at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore," he added. PTICORR NPNSDJMF