Panaji: Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) is likely to start helicopter rides in Goa from December, five years after the closure.
“The heli tour is expected to start from the site in December 2021 after getting all the permissions and clearances,” said a GTDC official.
on Monday, Federation tourism minister G Kishan Reddy A new helipad was inaugurated at Old Goa, which was built at a cost of Rs 5 crore as part of the development of Coastal Circuit-I under the Swadesh Darshan scheme of the ministry.
Unlike 2016, when GTDC first introduced helicopter rides from a site in Calangute using a government-owned helipad, this time, the rides as well as hiring an agency to manage the site. An operator will be appointed for this purpose, the official said.
The Old Goa site will be handed over to a bidder soon, and the tender process for the same is already underway.
Back in 2016, Pawan Hans Limited was appointed to undertake the rides, but it soon had to discontinue the services. the ride has been moved South Goa Using the helipad of the starred hotel for the rest of the season after Calangute locals objected to the service. Goa Tourism did not continue the heli ride from South Goa in the next season, as the exercise was logistically difficult as people who had bought tickets for the ride had to be taken to South Goa.
Since then, GTDC is looking for a suitable location North Goa, as it receives more footfall.
Chief Minister Pramod SawantThe government-owned helipad, who was present at the inauguration, said that apart from tourism, the government and private purposes would also be used.
The helipad has a vacuum dewatering concrete floor covering an area of 4,550 square metres, and a composite wall for a length of 490 metres. For security, there will be a reception and access tower with parking facilities, coffee house.
“The heli tour is expected to start from the site in December 2021 after getting all the permissions and clearances,” said a GTDC official.
on Monday, Federation tourism minister G Kishan Reddy A new helipad was inaugurated at Old Goa, which was built at a cost of Rs 5 crore as part of the development of Coastal Circuit-I under the Swadesh Darshan scheme of the ministry.
Unlike 2016, when GTDC first introduced helicopter rides from a site in Calangute using a government-owned helipad, this time, the rides as well as hiring an agency to manage the site. An operator will be appointed for this purpose, the official said.
The Old Goa site will be handed over to a bidder soon, and the tender process for the same is already underway.
Back in 2016, Pawan Hans Limited was appointed to undertake the rides, but it soon had to discontinue the services. the ride has been moved South Goa Using the helipad of the starred hotel for the rest of the season after Calangute locals objected to the service. Goa Tourism did not continue the heli ride from South Goa in the next season, as the exercise was logistically difficult as people who had bought tickets for the ride had to be taken to South Goa.
Since then, GTDC is looking for a suitable location North Goa, as it receives more footfall.
Chief Minister Pramod SawantThe government-owned helipad, who was present at the inauguration, said that apart from tourism, the government and private purposes would also be used.
The helipad has a vacuum dewatering concrete floor covering an area of 4,550 square metres, and a composite wall for a length of 490 metres. For security, there will be a reception and access tower with parking facilities, coffee house.
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