Tawang, Guwahati linked through daily helicopter service
30 Jun 2008
Itanagar: India's far flung north-eastern State of Arunachal Pradesh will now have a daily helicopter service providing services between Tawang, a major Buddhist centre in the State and Guwahati, capital of the neighbouring State of Assam.
The service was flagged off on Sunday by Arunachal Pradesh governor, Gen (retd) JJ Singh.
The service is expected to cut travel time to Tawang and also to boost tourism and create jobs in the hotel and handicraft industry in Tawang and the West Kameng districts of the hill state.
Chief minister, Dorjee Khandu, said he would also seek to introduce helicopter services to Mechuka, Tuting, Hawai and Anini to attract domestic and foreign tourists to the places known for scenic beauty and handicraft.
The commercial service will operate on the strength of a 75 per cent subsidy provided by the Centre. It is the first project to be launched under the financial package provided by prime minister, Manmohan Singh for the border state.
Tawang is located at an altitude of 10,200 ft, and is a famed pilgrimage centre for Buddhists. It is the birth place of the sixth Dalai Lama and home of the Gompa (monastery), which is reputed to be second in importance only to the one at Lhasa.