Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary. File
| Photo Credit: ANI
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Monday (July 13, 2026) launched the ‘Chief Minister Bihar Heli-Tourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme-2026’ to facilitate travel to tourist destinations in the State.
Under this scheme, government helicopters will be used to visit tourist places by booking them on rent. The State government has already given approval for helicopter operations every Saturday and Sunday to offer aerial views of Patna’s skyline. He launched the service from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
Addressing the event, Mr. Choudhary said that the aim is to place Bihar firmly on the global tourism map. He added that this scheme will usher in a new era for the state’s tourism sector and provide citizens with the opportunity to experience air tourism at affordable rates.
Mr. Choudhary said that under the scheme, the helicopter services will be provided to major tourist destinations such as Patna, Rajgir, Valmikinagar, and Kaimur, for which the government will provide a subsidy of up to ₹15,422 per ticket.
The regular helicopter operations will begin on July 18, 2026, running every. He urged the Tourism Department to further expand air tourism and to involve private stakeholders.
“Tourism is not merely a means of travel but a strong foundation for employment, investment, and economic growth. The State government is working to strengthen the tourism-based economy at the village level by promoting homestays, local handicrafts, folk culture, local cuisine, and rural tourism. This will create new opportunities for employment and self-employment for the youth and residents,”Mr. Choudhary said.
He urged people to promote Bihar’s culture, heritage, and tourist destinations positively through their conduct and hospitality. He pointed out that when every citizen becomes an ambassador for tourism, the State’s identity will be further strengthened across the country and the world.
The Chief Minister noted that the Bihar government is continuously working to develop world-class tourism infrastructure and that new tourism circuits are being created. He added that two major hotels are being constructed in Patna, which are expected to generate good revenue.
“We must showcase our religious heritage—including sites associated with Lord Buddha [Rajgir and Bodh Gaya], Lord Mahavira [Lachhuar and Vaishali], Baba Hariharnath [Sonepur], and the Maa Mundeshwari Temple,”Mr. Choudhary said.
Taking pride, he stated the Bihar Museum is the best in the country, as even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited it. He remarked that the new scheme would prove to be a milestone for the State’s tourism sector and would not only position Bihar among the country’s leading tourism states but also provide fresh momentum to employment, investment, and overall economic development.
Both Deputy Chief Ministers Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav were present along with Tourism Minister Kedar Prasad Gupta and Tourism Department Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh.
Published – July 14, 2026 10:43 am IST
