From Jan 10, Mumbai tour on chopper

People in the city will soon be able to enjoy an aerial view of their favourite landmarks as the state government launches "Mumbai Darshan" helicopter flights from January 10.
On Wednesday, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Pawan Hans signed an agreement to this effect in the presence of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The helicopter servicecs will be operated with Bell 206 L4 aircraft that can seat six passengers besides the pilot. The helicopter flights will take off from Juhu airport and fly north, keeping to the city's west so as not to interfere with air traffic to/from Mumbai airport.
"A demo flight will be operated on January 1 to finalise the routes," said Sanjay Kumar, general manager, Pawan Hans, adding that later on, the flights will also try to cover some parts of south Mumbai up to Mahalaxmi.
The base formula of approximate Rs 320 per minute excluding taxes has been arrived at between the state government and Pawan Hans. A 16 minute ride will cost about Rs 5210, per person.
"Gradually we will shift rides and tours to south Mumbai and then to Matheran, Murud-Janjira, Aurangabad (Ajanta-Ellora), Nashik, Shirdi, Konkan beaches and Tadoba forest near Nagpur," said MTDC MD Paraag Jain Nainuttiya.
Initially two choppers will be in service for Mumbai darshan and eventually one more would be brought in to take care of longer tours such as Ajanta and Shirdi, said Nainuttiya . The number of choppers will go up on demand, he said.
Unlike passenger planes, the "Mumbai Darshan" helicopters are expected to fly at a comparatively lower altitude allowing a better aerial view.

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