Title - Call to put Ooty on the air map

It is high time this hill station is connected by air.This was stressed through a resolution at the 29th Annual General Meeting of the Nilgiris Chamber of Commerce and Industry held here on Saturday night.Pointing out that it was a long standing demand of various sections of the society here, the meeting wanted helicopter services to be introduced between Ooty and Coimbatore and Ooty and Bangalore. It will increase tourist traffic and improve the economy. Helicopters with adequate seating capacity should be pressed into service and the fare should be reasonable.By another resolution, the chamber reiterated its plea for implementing cable car project within the town and suggested that the possibility of connecting Doddabetta peak with the Ooty lake should be explored. It will to a great extent help promote tourism. The possibility of connecting the hills and the plains with a ropeway should also be studied. Apart from making travel easier and faster, the facility would be of considerable use during medical emergencies.It was also resolved to request the Railway Ministry to make travel more comfortable on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway. The seats should be improved and more luggage space provided. Basic amenities like purified drinking water should be provided at the railway station here and more trains run on the sector. The entire Nilgiri Express should be placed at the disposal of the people of the Nilgiris district and the Cheran and Kovai expresses should start at Mettupalayam.

Adverting to the steadily increasing inflow of tourists and inadequate infrastructural facilities like parking space, the meeting urged the authorities to create paid parking lots above the municipal market and the Kodappamund channel which cuts through the town. Multi-storied parking facilities should

also be provided.

Congestion at Charing Cross on the threshold of the town should be relieved by constructing a fly over.

Participating as the chief guest D. Nandakumar, Secretary, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, said that the Coimbatore chapter will not be found wanting in helping the Nilgiris chapter achieve its objectives. Citing examples, he urged members of the Nilgiris chamber

to contribute to its growth. Recognition of long-standing members M.L. Swamikannu, T.S. Rangaian,

T.S. Dayal  and U. Sripathi Rao marked the occasion. President S. Srinivas Rao welcomed the gathering. Secretary L. Shanker presented the annual report. Joint Secretary Charlson Charly proposed a vote of thanks.