TNI Bureau: The Odisha government will soon launch helicopter joy rides, allowing tourists to enjoy aerial views of the state’s major natural and cultural landmarks under the much-awaited ‘Joy Ride’ scheme.

In the first phase, services will begin at Chilika Lake and Maa Tara Tarini Temple in Ganjam district. Helicopters will operate from major tourist hubs, offering visitors a unique experience of Odisha’s scenic beauty and heritage from the sky.

On Friday, a Pawan Hans helicopter arrived at the Rangeilunda airstrip in Berhampur, where Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, Ganjam Collector Keerthi Vasan V, Chhatrapur MLA Krushna Chandra Nayak and other officials inspected the aircraft.

The minister said the service will be launched soon with affordable ticket prices. Flights will cover Gopalpur beach, Chilika, Satapada and Maa Tara Tarini Temple, with 10 to 12 flights daily depending on demand.

Similar helicopter tourism services will also be introduced in Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konark and Sambalpur. The initiative aims to promote tourism by offering a new and exciting way to experience Odisha’s landscapes and heritage sites.