JODHPUR: The state may soon have helicopter taxis provided the government gives its nod on a proposal to start chartered air services.
Affluent trusts have submitted a proposal for the air taxi service to the government through the Jodhpur divisional commissioner recently.
Once launched, the service will have a fleet of dedicated helicopters which can not only be availed by tourists for travel across the state but also by business magnates and corporate houses.
Initially, the proposal has been floated considering the religious areas of interest in the state and most of the trusts behind the proposal are basically the religious trusts. However, the service is likely to be extended to anyone willing to avail it as the state is grappling with an abject lack of qualitative and quick means of transport specially in view of long and exhausting distances.
Jodhpur divisional commissioner R K Jain said the state has been cut off in terms of air connectivity, particularly when it comes to chartered flights and has been a hurdle on prospects concerning both tourism and industry. "Though considerable improvement in surface transport has taken place in the past few years but hardly any initiation has been taken with regard to air connectivity. The growth rate of the state can be further expedited with faster mode of transport," he said highlighting that 18 prosperous religious trusts of the state have offered to fund a fleet of helicopters and run it on "no loss no profit" basis.
Suggesting a broad action plan for the proposal, Jain said, "I have proposed to the government that if the proposal is approved, these trusts are ready to run this service through a properly managed mechanism."
He said in western Rajasthan, Barmer and Jaislamer are emerging as energy hubs and global corporates are setting up their operations in oil and gas. Further, Jodhpur is becoming an educational hub with a full-fledged handicraft industry, apart from the emerging tourism industry in the state. "Considering these factors, there is an urgent necessity of strengthening the air infrastructure here. Even the industries also approved the idea that an immediate beginning can be made by introducing helicopter services, which practically has no gestation period and will propel the prospects of the state," Jain added.
Welcoming the idea, Govind Singh Rathore, a tourism entrepreneur, said there are many global tourists who skip some important destinations due to absence of proper air connectivity or due to absence of some quick means of transport keeping the long distances in mind. "This service will result in not only further exposure of the state as a tourist destination but also result in spurt in the flow of tourists," Singh asserted.
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