Helicopter taxi services can provide better connectivity to religious and tourist destinations: U’khand Minister

New Delhi, November 5: The helicopter taxi services have a huge potential for enforcing law and order, air ambulance services, to check forest fire and can provide better connectivity to religious and tourist destinations located in rough terrain of hilly areas” said Uttrakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaja while inaugurating the 1st Heli Expo India and International Civil Helicopter Conclave-2017 on Saturday.

 

On this occasion the secretary of Civil Aviation R.N. Choubey, CMD Pawan Hans, Dr. B. P. Sharma and other dignitaries like experts from Industry and Defence Forces and representatives from ICAO and SAARC countries were present. The first issue of Pawan Hans Magazine Aviation Today was also unveiled by the chief guests on this occasion.

 

On this occasion the Secretary, Civil Aviation said “India has achieved a growth rate of about 20% in domestic air travel section in the last three years, which is the highest growth rate in the world Civil Aviation Sector.” “This growth rate is confined to fixed wing traffic only and the helicopter traffic is much less in India and the National Civil Aviation Policy tries to address this gap” he added.

 

As per the new NCAP, helicopters are free to fly from point to point without prior ATC clearance in airspace below 5000 feet. The secretary also added that the aviation agencies should start exploring the option to start helicopter taxi services between Delhi -NCR and other North Indian States.

An exhibition was also organized at the venue. The second day is open for public, where one can visit the exhibition and pre-book the Delhi Darshan joy rides by Helicopter.