Helicopter service for Durga Puja revellers in Tripura

Agartala: The Tripura government will operate a helicopter service for Durga Puja revellers to enable them to get an aerial view of tourist spots and celebrations here, a transport official said on Tuesday.

The chopper service, run by the government-owned Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC), will be in the form of 20-25 minute long trips in and around Agartala from Tuesday. There will be six sorties in a day.

"For sightseeing and witnessing Durga Puja, the per head fare for an adult is Rs 1,700 and for children below 12 years it is Rs 1,500," the TRTC official said.

"The rides would be conducted in eight-seater double-engine choppers of Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd. The rides would be conducted for three days from Tuesday."Sponsored by the Union Home Ministry, the chopper service has been subsidised by the government. The state-owned Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd has also been operating in the other mountainous northeastern states at a subsidised rate.

Meanwhile, Tripura State Electricity Corporation Chairman-cum-Managing Director Mahananda Debbarma said that to maintain uninterrupted electricity supply during the five-day puja period, additional power would be taken from the central grid, Assam and Meghalaya.

"Despite huge demand of power (500 MW) during Durga Puja festivities, Tripura would maintain supply of 160 MW of power to Bangladesh as this is the national commitment," he told the media. (IANS)