Bihar govt launches Patna joy ride under Heli‑Tourism Scheme
Patna, July 18
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary on Saturday inaugurated the 'Patna Joy Ride' under the Bihar Heli‑Tourism and Air Tourism Scheme‑2026, marking a major initiative to promote aerial tourism in the state.
The launch took place at the State Hangar in Patna, where the Chief Minister flagged off the first helicopter joy ride and handed over tickets to the inaugural group of tourists.
The new initiative will allow residents and visitors to experience Patna from the sky, offering panoramic aerial views of the city's historical landmarks, riverfront and urban landscape.
During the event, Samrat Chaudhary also felicitated four newly licensed commercial pilots by presenting them with Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) certificates. The recipients were Captain Kumar Dhairya, Captain Genius Vivek, Captain Karan Kumar Bharti and Captain Sonal Man Singh.
Congratulating the pilots, the Chief Minister encouraged Bihar's youth to explore careers in aviation, describing the sector as one with immense opportunities and global potential.
Speaking at the inauguration, Samrat Chaudhary said the Bihar Heli‑Tourism and Air Tourism Scheme‑2026 is expected to give fresh impetus to tourism by enabling visitors to enjoy aerial views of the state's historical, religious, cultural and natural attractions.
He said the initiative would promote tourism across Bihar, attract investment in the sector, generate new employment opportunities, provide tourists with a safe and memorable flying experience, and strengthen Bihar's identity as an emerging tourism destination.
Tourism Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh said the scheme's first phase will cover three destinations: Valmikinagar (West Champaran), Rajgir (Nalanda) and Maa Mundeshwari Temple (Kaimur).
According to him, a state‑owned aircraft will operate flights to Valmikinagar, while 6+2‑seater chartered helicopters will serve the Rajgir and Kaimur routes. Each flight will accommodate up to five tourists.
Initially, helicopter tourism services will operate on weekends, with scheduled flights on the Patna-Valmikinagar-Patna, Patna-Rajgir-Patna and Patna-Kaimur (Karamchat Dam Helipad)-Patna routes. The services will be available every Saturday and Sunday, allowing tourists to book regular aerial trips according to the published schedule.
The Bihar government expects the heli‑tourism initiative to gradually expand to other destinations, offering visitors a unique perspective on the state's heritage and natural beauty while encouraging the growth of aviation‑linked tourism.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good initiative but let's be honest – Bihar needs basic infrastructure first. Better roads, clean airports, and reliable public transport would benefit more people than helicopter rides. This seems more like a photo-op for the CM than a genuine tourism boost. 🙄
As a Patna native, I'm genuinely excited! Our city has so much history – from Golghar to Patna Museum, seeing it from the sky will be magical. And congratulations to the four new pilots! It's inspiring to see local youth getting opportunities in aviation. 🎉
Wonderful step for Bihar tourism! The inclusion of Valmikinagar, Rajgir and Maa Mundeshwari Temple is smart – these places have great potential. But I'm concerned about safety standards. Hope they have proper maintenance and trained staff. Safety first, then fun! ✈️
I'm from the US but have traveled extensively in India. This is a smart move – aerial tourism can create a whole new revenue stream. The weekend schedule makes sense for initial phase. If executed well, Bihar could become a model for other states to follow. Hope the pricing is transparent.
Finally some development news from Bihar that doesn't involve politics! 👏 The heli-tourism scheme sounds promising – especially visiting Maa Mundeshwari Temple from the sky. But I hope they focus on environmental impact too. Helicopter noise and fuel consumption need consideration.
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