Helicopter services from the VUDA Park to Kailasagiri and Araku are expected to take off soon with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority and the private chopper service operator reaching an advance stage of finalisation.
It may be recalled that feasibility studies for the operation of choppers were conducted by the private operator and land was identified for development of the helipad ( The Hindu , March 6). Though the service was expected to have begun during the summer holidays itself, it’s learnt that change of the land identified for the helipad had caused the delay.
Once the VUDA gave its consent, the chopper service operator can obtain the clearance from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). “The helicopter ride to Kailasagiri and back from VUDA Park would take around 5 minutes while the ride to Araku would last for about 15 minutes. Our company already has the DGCA clearance for operation of non-scheduled aircraft,” Chandrasekhar of Sky Choppers Private Ltd. told The Hindu.
Sky Choppers already has experience in the operation of helicopters at the popular pilgrimage centres of Vaishno Devi, Kedarnath and Amarnath. It had conducted feasibility studies for operation of helicopters to Kailasagiri and Araku on the invitation of AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC).
The company has already signed an MoU for the operation of seaplanes from Vizag to Bheemunipatnam and from Amaravathi to Kakinada. “We are awaiting construction of the jetties by the APTDC for operation of the seaplanes,” Mr. Chandrasekhar said.
“Fare for helicopter trip to Kailasagiri could be around Rs.2,500. The rate would, however, be finalised by the State government. We can even operate from the airport but that being away from the city would involve more expenditure for the short rides”.
“The MoU between the VUDA and Sky Choppers is in the finalisation process and we expect it to be completed in a week or two,” APTDC Executive Director BS Reddy told The Hindu on Friday.
