Bihar Cabinet's Historic Move: Patna Aerial Tour for Just ₹2,100; 'Heli-Tourism Scheme 2026' Approved

PATNA: In a major push to elevate tourism and modernise travel connectivity in the state, the Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday, gave its formal nod to the 'Chief Minister Bihar Heli-Tourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme, 2026.'

The initiative aims to connect Bihar's key historical, religious, and natural tourist destinations through an aerial network, saving travel time for domestic and international tourists while boosting state revenue.

First Phase Duration: July 15, 2026, to January 15, 2027.

Primary Objective: Not commercial profit, but enhancing regional connectivity and boosting local tourism.

Patna 'Joy Ride': View the Capital from the Sky for ₹2,100

The most exciting feature of this scheme for Patna residents and visiting tourists is the helicopter 'Joy Ride.' Passengers will get a bird's-eye view of Patna's evolving skyline, the Ganga Path-way (Marine Drive), and the historic Patna Sahib Gurudwara.

Fare: Just ₹2,100 per person (subsidised rate).

Days of Operation: Every Saturday and Sunday.

3 Major Tourist Hotspots Covered in the First Phase

According to the Tourism Department, passengers traveling to these destinations will need to book exclusive 'Tourism Packages' curated by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC):

Valmikinagar (West Champaran): The state's state-owned aircraft will be deployed for aerial tours of Bihar’s only Tiger Reserve. (Fare: ₹5,000 per passenger)

Rajgir (Nalanda): An 8-seater rented helicopter will be stationed to showcase the scenic hills and valleys of this international tourist hub. (Fare: ₹4,000 per passenger)

Maa Mundeshwari Temple (Kaimur): Air services will be available for devotees and tourists looking to visit one of India's oldest functional temples nestled atop the Kaimur hills. (Fare: ₹6,000 per passenger)

 Aircraft Capacity: The helicopters used for these routes will have a 6+2 capacity (6 passengers + 2 crew members), allowing a maximum of 5 seats to be booked by tourists at a time.

3 Other Major Cabinet Decisions

Alongside tourism, the Cabinet meeting cleared several vital proposals concerning employment, rural infrastructure, and religious pilgrimages:

Chief Minister Homestay Promotion Scheme 2026: To promote rural tourism, the government will provide a capital subsidy of ₹2.5 lakh per room to entrepreneurs setting up homestays. Women, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and youth entrepreneurs aged 18–25 will receive an additional incentive of ₹25,000 per room.

Sindhu Darshan Pilgrimage Financial Assistance Scheme 2026: Bihar residents undertaking the Sindhu Darshan pilgrimage to the Indus River in Ladakh will receive financial aid covering 50% of their travel expenses, up to a maximum of ₹20,000 per pilgrim.

Relaxation in Government Job Age Limits: To provide faster employment opportunities for youth, the minimum age limit for direct recruitment to specific posts (like Stenographers) in the Civil Defence Directorate has been reduced from 21 to 18 years. Rules for the direct recruitment of meritorious athletes were also amended.

This unique initiative by the Government of Bihar is set to put the state’s tourism map on a global stage while offering ordinary citizens the thrill of affordable air travel.