In a major push to promote tourism and regional connectivity, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday, November 1, 2025, inaugurated the state’s first helicopter service — a project designed to transform travel between key cities, jungle lodges, and pilgrimage sites.
Called the ‘PM Shri Tourism Helicopter Service’, the initiative marks a milestone in Madhya Pradesh’s tourism infrastructure. It is the first-of-its-kind service launched by any state in India, offering tourists faster, more scenic access to the state’s top attractions.
Flagging off the chopper service from Raja Bhoj International Airport in Bhopal, Yadav said the government’s goal was to make air travel not only efficient but enjoyable.
“We are not just connecting places but also hearts and experiences,” he said.
The launch coincided with the 70th Foundation Day celebrations of Madhya Pradesh, adding symbolic significance to the state’s new era of air connectivity.
Connecting Sacred Sites and Scenic Destinations
In its initial phase, the helicopter network will operate across three key routes:
- Bhopal – Pachmarhi – Madhai
- Indore – Ujjain – Omkareshwar
- Jabalpur – Kanha – Bandhavgarh
These routes have been chosen to link Madhya Pradesh’s most popular wildlife reserves, spiritual destinations, and heritage sites, cutting down hours of road travel into short, panoramic flights.
Officials said the service will help tourists explore multiple destinations within a single day — a convenience expected to significantly boost domestic and international tourist arrivals.
Boosting Rural Economy and Employment
Chief Minister Yadav emphasised that the project’s benefits will extend beyond tourism. By improving access to lesser-known destinations, the service is expected to create rural jobs, encourage homestays, and promote local handicrafts.
He noted that under his government, air ambulance services and intra-state aviation connectivity have already begun expanding, with three airports — Rewa, Satna, and Datia — now operational.
The helicopter service, he said, will further strengthen the tourism-based economy and could help double the number of visitors to the state by 2030. The Chief Minister also announced plans to develop a new airport in Ujjain, home to the revered Mahakaleshwar Temple.
Public-Private Partnership Model
The ‘PM Shri Tourism Helicopter Service’ will run under a public-private partnership model, operated jointly by Trans Bharat Aviation and Jet Serve Aviation Pvt. Ltd.
According to Tourism Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, Madhya Pradesh’s tourism sector is “touching new heights” under Yadav’s leadership. Regular commercial operations are set to begin on November 20, with flights available five days a week.
The service will also provide end-to-end travel experiences, including local transport, guided tours, and accommodation tie-ups — creating a seamless travel ecosystem for visitors.
Also present at the ceremony were Minister Krishna Gaur, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman Vipin Kumar, and several MLAs, marking a landmark day for the state’s growing tourism vision.
A New Chapter in Experiential Tourism
From the tiger trails of Kanha and Bandhavgarh to the spiritual serenity of Ujjain and Omkareshwar, the new helicopter service will open up fresh travel possibilities for both Indian and global tourists.
By bringing remote destinations closer and creating new livelihoods in the process, Madhya Pradesh’s skies are set to become as dynamic as its landscapes.
(With inputs from PTI)
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