Deccan Airways to start helicopter service in tourist centres

Thiruvananthapuram, June 20 (UNI) Kerala Home and Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today told the Assembly, the private sector Deccan Airways had informed the Tourism Department that all arrangements had been made to connect important tourist centres in the state through a helicopter service.

In a written reply to Mr Roshy Augustine (Kerala Congress-Mani), he said the helicopter service was a private initiative and the Tourism Department had no role in it.

Mr Balakrishnan said since the project was implemented by the aviation company on its own, the company would decide on the tourist centres to be connected by their helicopter service according to the availability and need of the tourists.

However, as per the information available, they would operate the service connecting Kochi and Kumarakam tourist centres and it was for the company to fix the fares.

The Tourism Minister said, steps would be taken to prepare a Master Plan to make Wayanad an International Tourist Centre and make Muzhupplilangad Beach and Dharmadam Thuruthu in Kannur District as a major tourist centre.

He also said the government was expected to complete the work on Alappuzha House Boat Terminal by the end of 2006.

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