AGARTALA, Oct 16 - The Tripura Government will operate a helicopter service for Durga Puja revellers to enable them to get an aerial view of tourist spots and celebrations here, a Transport Department official said today.
The chopper service, run by the Government-owned Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC), will be in the form of 20-25 minute long trips in and around Agartala from Tuesday. There will be six sorties in a day.
�For sightseeing and witnessing Durga Puja, the per head fare for an adult is Rs 1,700 and for children below 12 years it is Rs 1,500,� the TRTC official said.
�The rides will be conducted in eight-seater double-engine choppers of Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd. The rides will be conducted for three days from Tuesday.�
Sponsored by the Union Home Ministry, the chopper service has been subsidised by the Government.
Meanwhile, Tripura State Electricity Corporation Chairman-cum-Managing Director Mahananda Debbarma said that to maintain uninterrupted electricity supply during the five-day Puja period, additional power would be taken from the central grid, Assam and Meghalaya.
�Despite a huge demand of power (500 MW) during Durga Puja festivities, Tripura will maintain supply of 160 MW of power to Bangladesh as this is a national commitment,� he told the media.
Meanwhile, DGP Akhil Kumar Shukla said that vigil along the India-Bangladesh border and in the trouble-hit areas has been increased with the deployment of additional Central paramilitary and State security personnel.
Border Security Force (BSF), Assam Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), along with the Tripura State Rifles, have intensified security to foil any attempt to disturb peace and harmony during the festivities.
CCTVs and metal detectors have been installed near the puja pandals and other sensitive locations, while over 10,000 security personnel and quick reaction teams, besides bomb and dog squads, have been deployed across Tripura. Police pickets have been set up at strategic locations and mobile and foot patrolling has been initiated along with intelligence networks. � IANS
