Heli Taxi services launched in Himachal

Shimla, January 29 (PTI) Himachal Chief Minister PremKumar Dhumal launched the much-awaited Heli taxi services tocater to high-end tourists by flagging off the firsthelicopter flight for Kullu from Annandale helipad here thismorning.

Dhumal presented Himachali cap and shawl to the irst"passenger who boarded the flight to Kullu in the helicopterowned by the Sim-Sam Company.

Talking to the media, the Chief Minister said Heli TaxiService would not only boost adventure tourism in the state,but also facilitate the high-end tourists visiting the stateto enjoy the fascinating natural beauty of snow-clad mountainsduring the winters.

He said that due to invisibility of broad gauge railwaylines and absence of regular air services, the Heli TaxiService would attract foreign as well as domestic tourists,who are keen to visit hitherto unexplored and lesser-knowndestinations through 56 helipads, including half a dozenhelipads in tribal areas.

The Chief Minister congratulated the tourism departmentfor launching this service and hopped that it would go a longway in attracting more foreign tourists.