Patna: The Bihar government is preparing to launch a helicopter tourism service linking Patna with eight of the state’s most prominent historical, religious and natural destinations, in a move aimed at reducing travel time and boosting visitor numbers.
Officials said the proposed “heli-tourism” scheme would provide direct aerial connectivity from the state capital to sites including Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Vaishali, Pawapuri, Patna Sahib, Vikramshila and Valmiki Tiger Reserve. The initiative is designed to allow tourists to cover multiple locations in significantly less time than is currently possible by road.
The state’s department of civil aviation has invited expressions of interest from experienced operators to run the service, indicating that commercial operations could begin once a partner is finalised. If implemented as planned, journeys that typically take several hours by road could be reduced to minutes.
Under the proposal, the government will enter into an initial five-year agreement with selected operators, with the option to extend the contract for a further five years based on performance and mutual consent.
Alongside the heli-tourism project, the state is also seeking to strengthen its aviation infrastructure. Plans are under way to develop greenfield airports in Sonepur, in Saran district, and Sultanganj, in Bhagalpur district. Tenders have already been issued for the preparation of detailed project reports for both sites.
Officials say the helicopter service could improve Bihar’s appeal to both domestic and international visitors, particularly those with limited time. The state is home to key sites associated with Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, including the place of the Buddha’s enlightenment in Bodh Gaya and the birthplace of Mahavira in Vaishali, as well as the revered shrine at Patna Sahib.
The government also expects the initiative to generate employment and provide a broader economic boost by increasing tourist footfall across the state.
