Ludhiana gets pvt choppers for business trips, joyride

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 17

Sore over the ‘apathetic’ approach of the state government in providing good air connectivity to Ludhiana industrialists, a local resident has come up with a private helipad with two choppers at a private township on the Canal Road here.

Mahesh Goel, a builder, who mooted the idea said there was a dire need of better air connectivity in the city. “The helicopters can be used for business purposes and family rides too,” said Goel.

All no objection certificates (NOCs) for these helicopters have been obtained by Goel, which he has initially taken for a period of one month. A total of 12 destinations (including major metro cities) have been tied-up for the ride and if all goes well, more will be added.

A formal launch of the helipad was done here today in the presence of Cabinet Minister Rana Gurmit Sodhi and other leading businessmen of the city.

One of the industrialists, wishing not to be named, said: “We have been waiting for air connectivity for long. Earlier, we had to board a plane either from Chandigarh or Amritsar but now it will be a lot more convenient.”