Prabhu discusses chopper services to Ajanta, Ellora

Mumbai: Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu is keen on introducing helicopter services to Ajanta and Ellora in Aurangabad district to boost tourism to the Buddhist caves that date back to the 2nd century BCE.

The move comes in the backdrop of the government planning to develop the Mumbai-Aurangabad-Nagpur triangle as a tourist circuit. “The plan is to develop the Mumbai-Aurangabad-Nagpur belt on the lines of the Jaipur-Delhi-Agra golden triangle tourist circuit,” Vijay Kumar Gautam, principal secretary (tourism), said.

At a review meeting in Aurangabad last week, Mr. Prabhu and officials of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) discussed the feasibility of helicopter services between Aurangabad airport and the two tourist destinations. While the Ajanta caves are about 100 km from Aurangabad, Ellora is about 30 km away.

Keshava Sharma, regional executive director, western region, who attended the meeting, said a presentation on increasing domestic air connectivity and starting international scheduled and charter flights to Aurangabad was made to the minister.

Fare, number of daily trips, seating capacity, and timings needed to be finalised. Officials of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), which backs the chopper services, said details can be obtained only after the district administration and other stakeholders prepare a project report, which has already been commissioned as part of the Mumbai-Aurangabad-Nagpur triangle.

“A helipad was developed at Ajanta, but has been lying unused for the last many years. Tourists have to come to Aurangabad from Mumbai and then have to travel by road,” an AAI official said.

“Heli-tourism opens up a world of possibilities to travellers,” Nitin Mundaware, MTDC regional manager for Aurangabad, said.