Mumbai: Domestic and international tourists who skip Elephanta caves tour due to paucity of time may soon have a reason to cheer. Two private parties have applied for helicopter services between city and the mid-sea tourist point. If everything goes as per plans, copters will start flying to Elephant in a couple of months.
Currently, boats ferry visitors from Gateway of India to the green island, which has a 7th century cave temple of Lord Shiva. Tourists often complain that since they can't stay put at Elephanta, they get about four to five hours to visit the site as the boat journey covering the distance of about 9 nautical miles eats up an hour on each way. Accessing the spot through choppers will give them additional time.
A highly placed sources in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said, "We have received a proposal from two parties to start helicopter services to Elephanta. If we find all the permissions in place, we will allow them to start the service as per rules."
Paraag Jaiin Nainuttia, managing director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, said that while they had received two proposals, they found the rates to be a bit high. "We have asked them to reduce the fares in large public interest. They are working on our observation."
19/02/15 Mewati Sitaram/Daily News & Analysis
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Currently, boats ferry visitors from Gateway of India to the green island, which has a 7th century cave temple of Lord Shiva. Tourists often complain that since they can't stay put at Elephanta, they get about four to five hours to visit the site as the boat journey covering the distance of about 9 nautical miles eats up an hour on each way. Accessing the spot through choppers will give them additional time.
A highly placed sources in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said, "We have received a proposal from two parties to start helicopter services to Elephanta. If we find all the permissions in place, we will allow them to start the service as per rules."
Paraag Jaiin Nainuttia, managing director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, said that while they had received two proposals, they found the rates to be a bit high. "We have asked them to reduce the fares in large public interest. They are working on our observation."
19/02/15 Mewati Sitaram/Daily News & Analysis
