Bihar Mukhyamantri Heli Tourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Imagine reaching Rajgir, Valmikinagar, or the historic Maa Mundeshwari Temple in just a fraction of the time by flying above Bihar's beautiful landscapes. The Mukhyamantri Bihar Heli-Tourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme 2026 makes this experience possible by offering government-subsidised helicopter and aircraft services at fares starting from just ₹2,100. Whether you want to enjoy a breathtaking 10-minute helicopter ride over Patna or explore Bihar's top tourist destinations without spending hours on the road, this scheme makes helicopter and air travel more accessible and affordable for tourists visiting Bihar.

Introduced by the Tourism Department, Government of Bihar, the scheme is designed to make tourism faster, more comfortable, and more memorable while improving regional air connectivity across the state. In its first phase, running from 15 July 2026 to 15 January 2027, the service will connect Valmikinagar, Rajgir, and Maa Mundeshwari Temple (Kaimur), offering tourists a convenient way to experience some of Bihar's most popular religious, heritage, and eco-tourism destinations.

Under the scheme, the Bihar Government is providing substantial subsidies on helicopter tickets to keep passenger fares affordable. Depending on the route, the government subsidy ranges from ₹11,522 to ₹15,422 per ticket. Passengers pay ₹5,000 for the Patna–Valmikinagar route, ₹6,000 for Patna–Kaimur, ₹4,000 for Patna–Rajgir, and ₹2,100 for the Patna Helicopter Joy Ride.

The launch of this scheme reflects the Bihar Government's growing focus on promoting tourism and improving the visitor experience across the state. Along with this initiative, the government has also introduced schemes like the Bihar Sindhu Darshan Pilgrimage Financial Assistance Grant Scheme, which provides financial assistance to eligible pilgrims visiting Sindhu Darshan, and the Mukhyamantri Homestay Protsahan Yojana, which encourages local residents to establish homestays by offering financial incentives.Together, these schemes reflect the Bihar Government's commitment to developing tourism infrastructure, supporting local communities, and making the state a more attractive destination for visitors.

Objectives

The scheme aims to:

• Improve regional air connectivity between important tourist destinations in Bihar.
• Make travel faster, easier and more convenient for tourists.
• Promote religious, heritage, cultural and eco-tourism in the state.
• Increase the number of domestic and international tourists visiting Bihar.
• Generate employment opportunities in tourism-related sectors.
• Increase tourism revenue and strengthen Bihar's tourism industry.
• Establish Bihar as a recognised heli-tourism and air-tourism destination.

Scheme Benefits

Under this scheme, tourists can enjoy the following benefits:

• Travel to selected tourist destinations in Bihar through helicopter and air tourism services available under the scheme.
• Government-approved concessional fares, making air travel more affordable.
• Save travel time with quick and comfortable air connectivity.
• Visit important religious, heritage and eco-tourism destinations without long road journeys.
• Enjoy a 10-minute helicopter joy ride over Patna at a fare of ₹2,100 per passenger.
• Book tickets online through the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC).
• Receive a full refund if the flight is cancelled due to bad weather, technical issues or other unavoidable reasons.
• Experience a safe, convenient and unique way to explore Bihar's tourist attractions.

Routes, Fare and Flight Schedule

The government has fixed the following fares for the helicopter and aircraft services:

• Flight schedules may change due to weather conditions, technical reasons, or operational requirements.
• Passengers should report at the boarding point before the reporting time mentioned on their ticket.
• The first phase of the scheme will operate from 15 July 2026 to 15 January 2027.

Patna Heli Joy Ride

For tourists who simply want to enjoy the experience of flying in a helicopter, the Patna Heli Joy Ride offers a 10-minute ride over the Patna skyline. The service is available on Saturdays and Sundays, and online booking is currently open through the BSTDC booking portal.

The fare is ₹2,100 per passenger, and the Bihar Government provides a subsidy of ₹15,422 per ticket. The operator listed on the BSTDC portal for this service is M/s Syandan Aviation Private Limited.

Passengers can check available dates and seats online, complete the payment, and download their e-ticket after the booking is confirmed.

Tourist Destinations Covered

During the first phase, the helicopter and aircraft services will be available for the following destinations:

• Valmikinagar – Famous for the Valmiki Tiger Reserve and eco-tourism.
• Rajgir – Popular for Buddhist, Jain and Hindu heritage sites.
• Maa Mundeshwari Temple (Kaimur) – One of India's oldest functional Hindu temples.
• Patna – 10-minute helicopter joy ride offering aerial views of the city.

Government Subsidy and Passenger Fare

The actual cost of the service is ₹17,522 per person. However, with the Bihar Government subsidy, passengers only need to pay the reduced fare listed above.

Required Documents

• Original Aadhaar Card or another valid government-issued ID proof
• Confirmed ticket or e-ticket
• Passport and other required travel documents in the case of foreign tourists, wherever applicable

Make sure to carry the original ID proof while travelling, as it may be checked before boarding.

Steps to Apply

The online booking portal is now open, and interested passengers can book their tickets online through the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) booking portal by following the steps given below.

• Step 1: Visit the BSTDC Booking Portal Visit the official Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation booking portal and select the available heli-tourism service you want to book.
• Step 2: Login or Register Register or log in using your mobile number or email address.
• Active mobile numbers can be verified through OTP. The portal also states that foreign nationals can register using an email address.
• Step 3: Select Date and Slot Choose the available travel date and booking slot for your selected service.
• Step 4: Add Passenger Details Enter the required details of the passenger or passengers.
• Step 5: Make Online Payment Pay the applicable ticket fare securely through the available online payment option.
• Step 6: Download the E-Ticket After successful payment and booking confirmation, download the ticket and keep it available for the journey.

Ticket Booking and Payment Process

• Online booking is available through the BSTDC booking platform for services currently open for booking.
• After completing the booking and successful payment, passengers can download their e-ticket.
• Booking is subject to live seat availability for the selected date and slot.
• Passengers should report at the boarding location before the reporting time mentioned on the ticket.
• The Tourism Department may revise schedules or fares if required.

Refund Policy

Passengers can cancel their bookings, but the refund amount depends on how many days before the scheduled booking date the cancellation is made.

If BSTDC cancels a flight due to weather, technical, or operational reasons, the full ticket amount is refunded.

Important Conditions

Applicants should keep the following points in mind:

• Passengers must carry their original Aadhaar Card or another valid government-issued ID proof.
• Passengers should arrive 30 minutes before the reporting time.
• Handbags and carry-on bags are not allowed for the Patna Heli Joy Ride, as stated on the service page.
• Flights may be cancelled due to weather, technical, or operational reasons.
• Passenger-initiated cancellations are subject to the applicable cancellation charges.
• A passenger who fails to check in on the scheduled date without prior intimation will be treated as a No-Show, and no refund will be provided.
• Passengers must follow all safety and operational instructions.
• Passengers must carry the same identity proof used during booking.
• Reporting late at the boarding point may result in denial of boarding.
• The Tourism Department and the operator reserve the right to change schedules, routes, or timings whenever necessary.
• Safety instructions issued by the crew must be followed throughout the journey.
• The operator may cancel or reschedule flights in exceptional circumstances.

Relevant Links

• Official Website of Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation
• Sankalp CM Heli-Tourism page on the website
• Guidelins for Mukhyamantri Bihar Heli-Tourism and Air Tourism Service Scheme 2026

Contact Information

BSTDC Booking Support

• Helpline: 8544418419
• Email: [email protected]
• Office: Beerchand Patel Path, Patna, Bihar – 800001