Aditya Raj
Patna: In a landmark move set to redefine tourism in Bihar, air tourism services took flight from Gaya Airport on Sunday, opening up a captivating aerial vista of religious and tourist destinations. The helicopter services, inaugurated in the presence of key dignitaries, promise a unique experience encompassing religious sites in Gaya, Bodh Gaya, and Rajgir, while also offering dedicated aerial tours of the Buddha Circuit, including Sarnath and Kushinagar.
The air tourism services go beyond conventional sightseeing, catering to special events like weddings, featuring pre-wedding shoots, flower showers, farewell flights, and personalized pickup and drop services. Charter booking services, including emergency rescue, are also available, with current operations limited to airport-to-airport routes.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed the participation of state industry minister Sameer Kumar Mahaseth, agriculture minister Kumar Sarbjit, and tourism secretary Abhay Kumar Singh. Agriculture minister Kumar Sarabjit presided over the ceremony, attended by Barachati MLA Jyoti Manjhi and Gaya District Magistrate Dr. Thiyagarajan.
As part of the ceremony, the dignitaries embarked on an aerial tour, surveying the panoramic views of Gaya city, featuring landmarks such as Dungeshwari hill, Gurpa hill, Vishnupad Temple, Mahabodhi Mahavihara, and Sita Kund.
Online booking for these services is available through the website www.mahabodhiaviation.com and a dedicated mobile app, providing comprehensive details. The success of the program owes much to the collaborative efforts of Airport Director Bangajit Saha, ATC Head Awadhesh Kumar, and Deputy Commandant, CISF, Balwant Kumar Singh.
Adding a global touch to the event, Japanese industrialist Anand Vijay participated. Representatives from the Tourism Department and key figures from the service provider, Mahabodhi Aviation, including Arvind Singh, Bipin Salona, Vipul Kumar, Ravi Kumar, Rajneesh Kumar, and Vivekananda, played pivotal roles in the event’s success.
