Bhopal: Travel across heritage and wildlife destinations in Madhya Pradesh is set to change with the introduction of the PM Shri Tourism Helicopter Service, inaugurated on November 1 by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at Raja Bhoj International Airport in Bhopal.
The launch coincided with the 70th Foundation Day events of the state and marked the first helicopter tourism network initiated by any state government in India.
The new service aims to improve regional connectivity and reduce travel time between major cities, forest reserves, and sacred centers.
Officials said the project forms part of a wider effort to strengthen tourism infrastructure and bring more visitors to areas that previously required long surface travel.
The initial phase covers three corridors: Bhopal–Pachmarhi–Madhai, Indore–Ujjain–Omkareshwar, and Jabalpur–Kanha–Bandhavgarh. The network links major pilgrimage centers with nature reserves, turning long road trips into short flights.
Authorities expect the service to increase tourist arrivals from within India and abroad and to allow travelers to visit multiple destinations in one schedule.
Chief Minister Yadav said the program would help create jobs in smaller towns and promote homestays and local craft industries. He added that regional air links and air ambulance services had already expanded under the current administration, with airports now operational in Rewa, Satna, and Datia. Plans are underway for a new airport in Ujjain, home to the Mahakaleshwar Temple.
The helicopter service is managed through a public-private partnership involving Trans Bharat Aviation and Jet Serve Aviation Pvt. Ltd.
Tourism Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi said commercial operations would begin on November 20, running five days a week. The service includes coordinated ground transport, guided visits, and lodging tie-ups to streamline travel planning for passengers.
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