Helicopter joyrides, which got an enthusiastic response last year, is likely to be restarted here by the end of this month.
The district administration, along with Chipsan Aviation, had launched helicopter joyrides last year in February and later in April-May. However, it was stopped later.
This year, again efforts are on to restart them. But this hinges on getting clearance for the helipad at the NCC Ground at Adiudupi here.
“We have started the process by seeking permission from the district administration to start helicopter joyrides. We want to hold the joyrides from April 28 to May 1 because it is an extended weekend,” said Sudesh Shetty, promoter of the joyride, told The Hindu .
After that, the facility will be available during weekends to take advantage of the large numbers of visiting tourists.
Last year, nearly 2,000 persons enjoyed the joyrides held both in Udupi and in Kundapur.
The fare for a single joyride this time is expected to be ₹ 2,500 and ₹ 3,200 per person for a 10-minute ride and a 13-minute ride, respectively.
“We intend to have one normal 10-minute joyride and another 13-minute adventure ride. In the adventure ride, the pilot will take the helicopter closer to the water and go up and down,” Mr. Shetty said.
Besides, Udupi, the promoters also intend to provide the joyride facility at Kundapur by taking advantage of the helipad facility at Uva Meridian Convention Centre at Koteshwar.
But getting clearance for the helipad at NCC Ground here is the key for restarting the facility.
Priyanka Mary Francis, Deputy Commissioner, said that the previous Deputy Commissioner R. Vishal had passed an order over a year ago to get the Adiudupi helipad land under the Tourism Department, but it did not progress further.
The Assistant Commissioner had recently done a preliminary inspection of the Adiudupi land. There were a few sheds on that land. “We will convene a meeting of the people involved and give them some time to vacate. If they don’t oblige, we will proceed legally,” she said.
