Tourism Minister CP Yogeshwar held talks with Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the former Mysuru royal family on Sunday to set up helipads at the Lalitha Mahal palace grounds in Mysuru and the palace grounds in Bengaluru as part of the state government’s initiative to start heli tourism .

The state government plans to set up helipads in Mysore and Bengaluru as well as other places of tourist interest in the state such as Hampi, Jog Falls and Mangaluru as part of their heli tourism circle. Since road or rail journeys are time consuming for tourists, the government has proposed setting up helipads so that tourists can jump from one destination to another.

The government has identified the palace grounds in Bengaluru and the Lalitha Mahal grounds in Mysuru for helipads. The meeting between Mr. Yogeshwar and Ms. Wadiyar was held to obtain permission from the royal family.

The Lalitha Mahal site in Mysuru has served as a helipad for successive prime ministers and other dignitaries. However, following a Supreme Court ruling, the royal family had claimed ownership of the land on which the Lalitha Mahal heliport was located and posted a sign warning the intruders of legal action.

However, Mr. Yogeshwar claimed that Ms. Wadiyar had responded positively to the helicopter tourism project. He looked for their suggestions to further promote tourism in Mysore. He was accompanied by an actor and chairman of the KSTDC Shruthi.

Before meeting Ms. Wadiyar, Mr. Yogeshwar visited Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda’s ashram on Nanjangud Road on the outskirts of Mysuru and sought the blessing of the seer.

He said Mysore is known worldwide for sandalwood, silk, handicrafts, Mysore Pak, and many other things. He said he would work to put Brand Mysuru on the global tourism map.

Tourism in Mysuru, which has suffered a setback due to COVID-19, would soon be put back on track. He added that efforts to celebrate this year’s Dasara celebrations on a grand scale will begin months earlier.

He said it was necessary to have evening programs in what is also known as the cultural capital of Karnataka. Tourists should be offered interesting and engaging options so that they can stay in the city for at least two to three days, he said.

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