The cantilever glass bridge at Vagamon, which is the longest in India, and the heli-taxi service in Kumily are expected to attract a large number of tourists to Idukki this Onam season. Officials from the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) announced that the entry to the 40-meter-long glass bridge, a collaboration between the DTPC and Perumbavoor-based Bharat Mata Ventures, was opened to visitors on Saturday.
Nikhil P B, a representative of the private company responsible for building the bridge, stated, “The glass bridge, located at Vagamon Adventure Park atop a mountain, now holds the record for being the longest in the country, surpassing the 26-meter-long glass bridge in Bihar. Aside from offering a top-angle view of the valley that is 150ft deep, the glass bridge also provides visitors with a glimpse of distant locations in Idukki and Kottayam.”
The bridge is constructed using a five-layer 40mm glass imported from Germany and is reinforced with 35 tonnes of steel. It hangs on six metal ropes, which are connected to large steel pillars on the mountain top.
As for the heli-taxi service in Kumily, it will be available from 9am to 3pm on Sunday, departing from the Pathumuri helipad. Organized by two private individuals, the service will take tourists on a helicopter ride over the Vagamon region and to Munnar. Saji Vemballil, a heli operator based in Kumily, said, “We have plans to operate daily heli-tourism services to Munnar, Kochi, and Wayanad from Kumily. Many resorts in Idukki have expressed interest in such services for their customers. Additionally, there is potential for an air-ambulance service, enabling patients in need of immediate medical attention to reach Kochi in 27 minutes and Kottayam in 21 minutes.”
