Soon, enjoy helicopter services from Kolkata to Tarapith, Purulia

Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee government is all set to bring Tarapith and Purulia on its helicopter connectivity map soon.

Suvendu Adhikari, the state Transport department minister, in the state Assembly on Wednesday said the state government is soon going to introduce helicopter service from Kolkata to Tarapith and Purulia.

It may be mentioned that Tarapith is a temple town in Birbhum where thousands of devotees turn up every day and the state government has taken several steps to improve the infrastructure at Tarapith.

Necessary infrastructure has been put in place so that people do not face inconvenience while they visit the place to offer Puja to goddess Tara. Roads connecting the place have been strengthened and widened.

Now, the initiative has been taken to introduce helicopter service so that people reach Tarapith in far less time.

Similarly, Purulia has also become one of the major tourist spots with the development of necessary infrastructure.

In the past seven years, the Mamata Banerjee government has taken several steps for the development of Purulia. Now, people visit the place almost round the year except a few months during summer.

The tourism sector will receive further impetus with the introduction of this helicopter service.

A tender has been floated to engage the operator for the helicopter services from Kolkata to Purulia and Tarapith.

Currently, the helicopter service is available from Kolkata to Sagar, Digha, Shantiniketan and Malda.

The helicopters, which operate from Kolkata to these four places, are four-seater ones. But helicopters operating from Kolkata to Tarapith and Purulia will have more seating capacity. It is learnt that eight-seater helicopters will operate between these places.

It may be mentioned that soon after coming to power Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had given stress on air-connectivity between all the districts. Initiatives were also taken to construct helipads in almost all districts.

The Mamata Banerjee government has ensured flight services in Cooch Behar. The same in Bagdogra and Andal has also improved. The work to improve infrastructure of Malda and Balurghat airports is nearing completion. Moreover, many steps have also been taken to develop the Chharra Airstrip in Purulia.