Hot air balloons to help Maharashtra tourism soar

After Rajasthan, Maharashtra will become the second state to have Hot Air Ballooning adventure tourism from Diwali-eve, officials said here on Tuesday.
The first ride Oct 29 will carry eight passengers to 4,000 feet above sea level at Lonavala, a hill station around 90 km from here, said Sangram Pawar, director, Rainbow Riderss, the Sky Waltz franchisee operating the hot air balloons.
"We shall operate flights in Lonavala, Pune and surroundings, starting with two balloons. In Mumbai, we may deploy a balloon for special events or promotional only as the city has too many tall buildings to permit free flight," Pawar said.
State Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation managing director Jagdish Patil, Sky Waltz top executives Samit Garg and Jai Thakore and others were present at the official launch here.
Read News In Full 23/10/13 IANS/Times of India