Get set for chopper ride in Chandigarh this month-end

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 10

Get set for a helicopter ride this month-end! More people will be able to enjoy chopper rides during the coming Rose Festival at Rose Garden, Sector 16, as the Municipal Corporation has raised the number of choppers to three this year.

There was only one chopper in 2018, two in 2019 and this year, there will be three. “In view of the increased rush of people for the rides during the fest in the past, we have decided to hire three choppers,” said a senior MC officer.

An MC official said about 400 persons took rides in a single day during the fest. Each chopper carrying five visitors takes about 40 rounds in a day. “At sunset time, the choppers stop flying. Thus, many excited people fail to get the ride. That is why, we have decided to hire three choppers this time,” said the official.

The helicopters will start flying from around 8 am till the sunset. They will fly from the Sector 17 Parade Ground, go over Sector 17 Plaza, Sukhna Lake, Rose Garden and return to the Parade Ground. The ride around Chandigarh will take six to seven minutes. It provides a beautiful view of Chandigarh.

The MC has invited expression of interest from eligible agencies to provide helicopter joyrides. The 48th Rose Festival will be organised by the civic body and the UT Tourism Department during the weekend from February 28 to March 1. The corporation will hold the three-day event at a cost of Rs 66 lakh.

A number of rose varieties will be on display during the festival, which is one of the most popular fests of the city. Besides cultural events of different states, antakshari, newlywed couple competition, Rose Prince and Rose Princess contest, swings, food joints and famous singers’ nite at the Leisure Valley, Sector 10, are the other highlights of the fest each year.