Soon, enjoy chopper rides over natural & cultural landmarks

Bhubaneswar: Tourists will soon be able to enjoy aerial views of the state's most iconic destinations, with the govt set to introduce helicopter services under its much-awaited Joy Ride Scheme.In the first phase, the facility will be available at the Chilika lake and the Maa Taratarini shrine in Ganjam district. Independent helicopters will operate from major tourist hubs, offering visitors a chance to experience Odisha's natural and cultural landmarks from the sky.
On Friday, a Pawan Hans helicopter arrived at the Rangeilunda airstrip in Berhampur, where transport minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, Ganjam collector Keerthi Vasan V, Chhatrapur MLA Krushna Chandra Nayak, and other officials inspected the aircraft. The minister confirmed that the service will be launched soon with affordable ticket pricing."The Pawan Hans helicopter arrived today. Our govt promised helicopter tours for tourists. Now, visitors can fly to Taratarini, Narayani, and Chilika. Similar services will also begin in Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konark, and Sambalpur. We are ensuring low-cost access so that people can enjoy Odisha's beauty from the sky," said Jena.According to the district collector, the helicopter will operate from Rangeilunda, covering Gopalpur beach, Chilika, Satapada, and Maa Taratarini Temple before returning. Depending on demand, 10 to 12 flights may run daily. Pricing discussions are underway, and services are expected to commence shortly, sources said.Officials said the initiative aims to boost tourism by offering a unique aerial perspective of Odisha's diverse landscapes and heritage sites.