Heliport initiative to promote tourism in West Bengal's Darjeeling

The West Bengal state government is set to build three new heliports in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Raigunj at a total cost of Rs. 7.5 crore. These heliports will be developed under the Central Government's Dynamic Power Project, with technical assistance from Paban Hans. The heliports will require a license from the Airport Authority of India and will be equipped with waiting rooms, toilets, and baby feeding rooms.

The primary objective behind the initiative is to promote tourism in the region. The West Bengal State Government's Tourism Department and Kolkata's Fly Training Institute are jointly exploring the possibility of starting a helicopter service in Darjeeling to provide tourists with an opportunity to explore the region's unique beauty.

The Darjeeling heliport will be located near Tiger Hill and will be designed to facilitate landing from either direction. The initiative is aimed at making it easier for tourists to visit the region's picturesque mountain ranges, as many people find it difficult to travel due to illness or traffic congestion.

The state transport department believes that the helicopter service will give Darjeeling and Kalimpong a significant boost in tourism. The project is expected to create several job opportunities in the region and improve the overall economy. The state government is optimistic that the initiative will prove to be a game-changer in the region's tourism industry.