Heli-tourism package within a year

Plans to promote tourism in the district are underway, to implement the heli-tourism package within a year. Preliminary preparations have also been made by district administration for the state government's ambitious scheme.

The required number of helipads will be constructed in place nearest to the historical spots, to enable tourists to lose no time and directly land at the tourists spots they want to visit.

The government has a tie-up with hotels, lodges and transport vehicles with regard to basic facilities to tourists, after their visits to the historic places. This package, while a little expensive, will save time and also be a much safer option for tourists.

The state government has planned to provide this facility to some historical places like Murdeshwar, Gokarna, Kukkai, Karwar, Moodbidri, Sringeri, Badami and Aihole areas in Bagalkot district. Heli-tourism will connect the historical places of the state, said deputy commissioner D S Vishwanath.

The government has identified four places to set up the helipads in the district -- Chikkamuchhalagudda near Badami, Navanagar near Bagalkot, Kudal Sangam and Algur in Jamkhandi taluk. The district administration has sent a proposal to set up two more helipads in the district.

Each heli-point will be set up on a 250 square feet area. Each helipad will provided tourists with the best designer building, hanger, lounge, pilot, tiffin and other facilities.