As per report hit due to lockdown, the construction work for the much-awaited heliport at agra has finally begun. The heliport in agra is expected to come up in a few months, allowing aerial tours in the city, including that of the Taj Mahal.
The PWD started work on the heliport a few months back with the construction of a helipad and foundations of two helicopter hangars. The main heliport building's structure was also constructed.
A senior PWD engineer told that the UPEIDA had provided land for the heliport between the lucknow Expressway and the Inner Ring Road. Work, however, stopped on the project during lockdown. The official added that work has started again. There was a dispute over land allotted for the two hangars, which had been resolved in the first week of March. However, only the foundation of the hangars could be laid before the lockdown was announced, and work stopped post it. Permission has been granted now to restart work and by october, the heliport will be fully functional.
Amir Qureshi, related to tourism industry, said the novel coronavirus has destroyed the tourism industry of Agra. He said “Tourists are not ready to come to agra but an attraction like a helicopter tour of agra could become a major crowd puller, combining adventure with tourism”. In january 2019, schemes were announced and the heliport was one of those projects. But he claims that work on the project is slow and after almost 18 months, only 65 per cent of work has been done. The project worth Rs 4.95 crores is to be constructed on five acres of land in which one helipad and two hangars will be constructed.
