Goa copter services suspended following opposition

Mangalore Today News Network

Panaji, Feb 05, 2016:  Stiff opposition from churches and the local village bodies has forced the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Goa to indefinitely suspend the operation of helicopter joy rides, taking tourists from Panaji to Aguada plateau.

A meeting of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar with tourism minister and legislators of Saligao and Calangute made the decision, reported Goa media.

Parishioners and village bodies in the area have been opposing the project saying it adversily affect their environment, without giving them any benefit. n spite of opposition, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation had gone ahead with the joy rides since yesterday.

“Since the local Church is also opposing the helicopter joy rides stating Aguada is a heritage site, the CM decided to put on hold the decision to use the Sinquerim helipad," Saligao legislator Dilip Parulekarr  sated.


Rev Rodney Rebello, the local parish priest of Candolim, had also addressed a press conference in the Congress House, stating that the parishioners learnt about the ill effects of the helicopter joy rides during the religious services and so on.   Since this is an election year and politicians have sprung up from all the sides to oppose the joy rides, it is crystal clear that the BJP government would not dare to start it till the Assembly election is held.

However, the service was getting good response, he said. “While 25 tourists had enjoyed the ride yesterday, almost 100 tourists had lined up today”, said Parulekar.