One can now enjoy an aerial view of this historic city of pearls with a private aviation firm on Tuesday launching heli tourism.
A 10-minute ride on four-seater Bell 206 covers the picturesque Hussainsagar lake, Charminar, Chowmohalla palace, Salar Jung Museum and other historic landmarks of the city.
The helicopter joy ride, which begins from Necklace Road abutting Hussainsagar, costs Rs.3,500 per person.
Telangana IT, Municipal Administration and Panchayat Raj Minister K. T. Rama Rao inaugurated the service, launched with the support from the state tourism department.
Tourism Minister Azmeera Chandulal, Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) chairman Pervaram Ramulu, Tourism Secretary Burra Venkatesham, TSTDC managing director Christina Z. Chongthu and others were present.
Speaking on the occasion, Rama Rao said the joy rides would promote the tourism. He said this was in tune with the government's plans to make Hyderabad a truly global city.
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The minister said the service had also made helicopter ride affordable for a common man.
V. N. Bharat Reddy, director, aviation, Telangana government, told IANS that the heli tourism has been launched keeping in view the affordability factor with the high growth of information technology sector in the city. He said the joy ride would be extended in coming days to include IT clusters of Hitec City and Gachibowli.
The joy ride has been initially launched for a month and will be extended, based on the demand. The take-off point for chopper may be shifted to Hitec City, if there is more demand from that part of the city, he said.