Tandem flights at Billing: Fresh curbs imposed on pilots

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, May 17

The state government has decided against resumption of tandem flights at Billing in Kangra district till the verification of documents of all the 140 registered pilots is complete. There was no flying in Billing when the state government had imposed a ban on tandem flights.

SDM, Baijnath, Sunania Sharma recently imposed more restrictions on pilots keeping in view rising number of accidents, misbehaviour with women tourists in tandem flight by pilots and over-charging. She announced that no pilots would fly in bad weather, before sun rise and after sun set. It was made mandatory for the pilots to insure the second person flying in tandem flights with them. Besides, there will be regular inspection of equipment of pilots by experts.

She said in future only experienced pilots having valid documents would be given permission to fly. She categorically told the members of Para Gliding Association that if any pilot violated the directions of the state government, their licences would be cancelled and a case registered.

Various travel agents associations have welcomed the decision of the state government as this will ensure safety of tourists. A spokesman of the Kangra Valley Travel Agent Association while talking to The Tribune said rising accidents in tandem flights had caused insecurity among tourists. Besides, it had brought bad name to the adventure sport.

He asked the state tourism department to install display board at Billing reflecting tariff fixed by the government for tandem flights so that no tourist was fleeced. This will stop the practice of over-charging.

Meanwhile, Subhash Verma, a Delhi resident, has would file a suit for damages in the High Court against the state government, Kangra administration and state tourism department. Harashvardhan (27), his son, was seriously injured when a glider crashed in remote area of Ladh Bharol in Mandi district last month. Later, Harashvardhan was air-lifted to a hospital in New Delhi, where he has been struggling for life.