Heli-taxi services launched in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal launched the much-awaited Heli taxi services to cater to high-end tourists by flagging off the first helicopter flight for Kullu from Annandale helipad here this morning.

Dhumal presented Himachali cap and shawl to the first passenger who boarded the flight to Kullu in the helicopter owned by the Sim-Sam Company.

Talking to the media, the chief minister said Heli Taxi Service would not only boost adventure tourism in the state, but also facilitate the high-end tourists visiting the state to enjoy the fascinating natural beauty of snow-clad mountains during the winters.

He said that due to invisibility of broad gauge railway lines and absence of regular air services, the Heli Taxi Service would attract foreign as well as domestic tourists, who are keen to visit hitherto unexplored and lesser-known destinations through 56 helipads, including half a dozen helipads in tribal areas.

The chief minister congratulated the tourism department for launching this service and hopped that it would go a long way in attracting more foreign tourists.