Shimla, July 12 (IANS) State-owned helicopter services firm Pawan Hans, which primarily provides chopper services to various state governments and the Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), is among several companies eyeing the tourist-driven heli-taxi projects proposed in Himachal Pradesh, according to a senior official.
As per the proposal, the state will provide heli-taxi services to tourists, especially in far-flung tribal areas of Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts, apart from operating helicopter services from Delhi and Chandigarh to Shimla and other tourist spots in the state.

“Several companies like Pawan Hans, Global Vectra Helicorp and Aerosource have submitted technical and financial bids,” Tourism Secretary Manisha Nanda told IANS.

“We are processing the bids. The service will attract high-end tourists, both domestic and foreigners,” she added.

The tourism department has identified 57 helipads in the state that could be made functional for heli-taxi service. “We are in process of developing a few more helipads, some in rural and tribal areas,” Nanda added.

Hoteliers have welcomed the heli-taxi proposal, saying poor air connectivity within the state was slowing the growth of the tourism sector.

“Tourist resorts in Manali are not attracting high-end tourists due to poor air connectivity. Bad condition of roads, particularly in tribal areas, is also proving to be a deterrence,” said Tek Chand Thakur, president of the Manali Hoteliers Association.

“Once air connectivity increases, tourism will get a major boost,” Thakur added.

The hill state attracts tourists from across the world, especially from Israel, Germany, Britain and several European countries.

According to Harnam Kukreja, president of Shimla Hoteliers and Restaurants Association, the Buddhist circuit that was introduced in 1992 has failed to pick up on expected lines due to the lack of infrastructure.

“Heli-taxi services, particularly in tribal areas, will definitely give a fillip to the tourism sector,” Kukreja said.

Himachal Pradesh, known for its apples, a World Heritage railway and picture-perfect tourist spots, last year attracted 9.37 million domestic and 367,000 foreign tourists.

Kullu and Manali are tourist hotspots, followed by Shimla and Dharamsala, the seat of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

• Nanda
• Hans "Hasse" Alfredson