The Karnataka government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Om Satya Sai Air Management Pvt Ltd. to launch the much discussed Heli Tourism project from Hampi. According to a report in Deccan Herald, the Heli Tourism project, to commence from January 2011, will have three choppers to ferry tourists to Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal and Bijapur which form the heritage circuit in the state tourism map. G Janardhana Reddy, Tourism Minister, Karnataka said that heli-station, fuel station and other basic infrastructure required for the project will be provided by the state government, as well as will share the loss, if any. 

Janardhana Reddy added that there were no differences between him and C H Vijay Shankar, Forest Minister, Karnataka on introducing Night Safari in Bannerghatta National Park. The Minister also mentioned that the Sri Lanka Tourism Department had shown interest in having an understanding with the Karnataka government for development of tourism sector in both countries. Further, the state government had taken up infrastructure projects involving an expenditure of Rs 80,000 crore. This includes high-speed rail connecting Bengaluru city with Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) in Devanahalli and development of 6,000 kms road across the state. Tata, Reliance and Lanco have shown interest to take up high speed rail project and have sought documents pertaining to the project. The project, with total investment of Rs 6,000 crore, would ease traffic to BIAL.

K Vishwanath Reddy, Tourism Director, Karnataka said that fare for the heli-tour package is yet to be worked out by the private partner. “The state government had promised the operator business of at least 30 hours a month. In case the company fails to attract tourists to fly for 30 hours, the government would bear the loss component. But if the company has good business for more than 30 hours in a month, the government will get ten per cent of the profit earned from such trips. The final agreement on profit sharing and subsidy would be signed soon,” added Reddy.