Helicopter tourism that will link Madurai with Kodaikanal and Rameswaram may be introduced if Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd (PHHL), a miniratna company functioning under the aegis of the union ministry of civil aviation, goes ahead to give shape to its proposal this time.

Mooted by the late CPI (M) MP P. Mohan, PHHL had put the proposal on the backburner despite conducting a preliminary study on its feasibility in 2007.

“With a fleet expansion, it seems to have revived the plan to introduce helicopter services from Madurai to Kodaikanal and Rameswaram,” says Madurai airport controller K. Sangiah Pandian with whom a high-level team from the company had a meeting recently.

Accompanied by revenue and tourism officials, the three-member team also inspected three sites – Naidupuram, Attuvampatti and Mannavanur in and around Kodaikanal on Thursday and conducted a feasibility study considering various aspects to set up helipad.

Official sources said they had ruled out Naidupuram and Mother Teresa Women’s University premises at Attuvampatti but had expressed satisfaction over a site near Mannavanaur, 30 km from the town.

However, Dindigul collector N. Venkatachalam told Deccan Chronicle , “The team has inspected a
suitable site in Kodaikanal. I am awaiting its report. In case, the company needs government land for the facility, then there might be some difficulties as it is a hilly region. But such issues can be sorted out to help the venture take off. In any case, a technical opinion on the site will have to be sought from the Airport Authority of India for approval.”