Paragliding trial run becomes a success at Araku

Successful trial run for paragliding in ASR district, boosting tourism in Araku Valley with upcoming adventure sport activities.

In yet another significant development to boost tourism in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, the trial run for the paragliding activity has turned out to be a success, here on Sunday. If everything goes well, tourists visiting Araku Valley can experience the adventure sport from this month-end.

Following directions from the District Collector A.S. Dinesh Kumar, a team of expert pilot trainer Vijay Soni, pilot trainee Alisha from Orange Paragliding School in Himachal Pradesh, checked several places like Araku, Dumbriguda, Hukumpeta, to conduct the paragliding activity, and finalised a spot near Madagada, which is close to 15 km from Araku Valley.

The experts felt that the air conditions, placement of the hills, and security aspects make Madagada the suitable spot to conduct paragliding. Madagada has already been receiving good tourist turnout beacuse of its view point in the past one year. If the paragliding becomes a reality, the tiny village, is expected to become a tourism hotspot in the coming days.

Confirming the success of the trial run, Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Project Officer V. Abhishek said that they may introduce the paragliding during the Araku Utsav.

It may be remembered that with tethered hot air balloon rides, paramotor riding adventure, Araku Valley has become a hub for adventure sport activities for the tourists in the last few months. The recent addition of wooden bridge in the coffee gardens near Sunkarametta by the Forest Department has also become a hit, with hundreds of tourists’ turnout on a daily basis.