The Hindu : Front Page : Government nod for copter service

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Government nod for copter service

C. Jaishankar

"Expedite steps to create infrastructure facilities"

RAMANATHAPURAM: As an important step to boost tourism in the State, the Government has given its approval to start helicopter services to connect important tourist destinations.

It has directed the officials of the Tourism and Finance Departments, Collectors of Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul and The Nilgiris and other stakeholders to expedite steps to create infrastructure for operating helicopter services.

R. Kirlosh Kumar, Ramanathapuram Collector, said on Tuesday that this was decided at a meeting in Chennai on Monday with Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy in the chair.

V. Irai Anbu, Secretary, Tourism; Sanwath Ram, Commissioner, Tourism; Praveen Kumar, Special Secretary, Finance; Collectors, S.S. Jawahar (Madurai) and R. Vasuki (Dindigul), besides Mr. Kumar; and representatives from Pawan Hans Limited participated in the meeting. Mr. Kumar said that Pawan Hans, a public sector undertaking, would operate helicopter services from Madurai to Rameswaram, Kodaikanal and Udhagamandalam, besides other routes.

The State Government agreed to create necessary infrastructure in this regard. The Collectors concerned were asked to identify land for creating the facilities.

Near Dhanushkodi

Nearly 25 acres at a place between Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi was identified for establishing a helipad. Other facilities such as hangar, visitors' room, ticket cabin, air traffic control room, rest room for crew would also be established.

Construction work would start in October. Private helicopter operators could also utilise the proposed infrastructure.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section