Mon Feb 03 12:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Srikakulam’s Rathasapthami Festival Takes Flight with Inaugural Helicopter Tourism
**Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, February 3, 2025** – The Rathasapthami festival in Srikakulam saw the inaugural launch of helicopter tourism, offering residents a unique aerial view of the city. The event, initially scheduled for 9:00 AM on Sunday, was delayed to 11:40 AM due to foggy conditions. Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and MLA Shankar officially inaugurated the service.
Local officials, including the Collector, SP, and RDOs, were among the first to experience the eight-minute flights over Srikakulam. Children who won a recent painting competition were also given free helicopter rides.
Tickets, priced at ₹1800 per person, were initially booked online. However, high demand overwhelmed the online booking system, forcing many to queue at a counter set up at the municipal office. Despite the technical issues, approximately 200 people participated in the inaugural day, generating approximately ₹3.60 lakhs in revenue. According to DWMA PD Sudhakar, 33 rounds of eight-minute flights were conducted.
Online bookings resumed Monday morning from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Tickets were also made available at the Dutch Building after 4:00 PM. The helicopter tourism service is scheduled to continue on Tuesday. The event was a resounding success, showcasing Srikakulam’s innovative approach to festival celebrations.
First Piper 