Karnataka Tourism Minister C P Yogeeshwar said that heliports would be developed at six places to provide better connectivity to major tourist destinations across the state.
“As part of the heli-tourism project, heliports will come up in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hampi, Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, and Hubballi. The tourism department is mooting a heli-tourism model with a hub of heliports and helipads at these places,” he said during an interaction with stakeholders here on Saturday.
The minister said that the Centre had approved the state’s request for introducing seaplane services to connect the state’s 320-km long coastal belt. “Chief secretary has been asked to conduct a survey and submit a feasibility report under the Udaan scheme. Preliminary meetings have been held and experts have visited the locations identified to construct heliports,” he said.
“Developing tourism infrastructure will attract more domestic and international tourists to the state,” he stressed.
Madhusudhan from Aerohelicon said a heliport base will be set up under the project to facilitate take-off or landing of chartered flights and helicopters. Such a hub could also be utilised to promote spiritual tourism and medical tourism, he added.
The six locations identified will create a heli-tourism circuit to connect prominent tourist destinations. The heliports will have all infrastructure facilities, including refuelling facilities. The heliports also can be used by people, who want to use chartered helicopters, he added.
Published 20 March 2021, 17:06 IST