Himachal’s heli-taxi service to be launched today

In a move to attract more high-end tourists to the state, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal will formally inaugarate the heli-taxi service at the Annadale helipad in Himachal Pradesh today.

The heli-taxi service will become operational a few days later. The service, the minister said will help high end tourists explore the hidden beauty of the hill state.

Dhumal had recently inaguarted the Solang valley ropeway project to draw more tourists. (See: Solang valley ropeway opens in Himachal)

The tourism department has already signed an agreement with heli-taxi operators, Simm Samm Airways and Shiva Heli Services, Arun Kumar Sharma, director, tourism and civil aviation, said.

The operators will ply between Shimla-Kullu, Kullu-Manali- Rohtang Pass-Tandi, Manali valley with base at the Annandale helipad in Shimla.

There are 57 helipads in the state and many of them are located in tribal areas of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi valley, which have limited access during summers and no access due to heavy snowfall during the peak winters.

Sharma added that the department hoped that with the introduction of heli-taxi services, the inflow of high-end tourists and corporate houses would increase thus generating indirect employment and self -employment opportunities for the youth.