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Hot air balloon rides discontinued in Delhi
Hot air balloon rides in Delhi have been suspended due to heat, resuming in October. The initiative faced low visitor turnout and high ticket prices.
New Delhi: Hot air balloon rides in Delhi, launched last year at the Baansera and Asita parks, have been temporarily discontinued due to rising temperatures, Delhi Development Authority (DDA) officials said.
The rides have remained suspended since March and will resume in October, officials said.
The hot air balloon rides, introduced in November last year, initially operated through the week at Baansera and Asita (East). However, a lukewarm response from visitors later prompted authorities to limit operations to weekends.
“The rides at Baansera received a better response than the other venue. They have been discontinued for the summer, as the ideal season for ballooning is from October to March. When operations resume later this year, we plan to encourage schools to visit for the experience,” said Vinod Baharee, who oversees the operations for Air Safari, the company managing the rides.
Officials also acknowledged that the ticket price may have discouraged visitors.
“During the suspension period, we will review the project and address any shortcomings. It was a new initiative, and such ventures take time to gain popularity,” a DDA official said.
Before the launch, the then Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena participated in a trial ride at Baansera Park.
The rides use tethered hot-air balloons secured to the ground with four heavy-duty ropes capable of bearing several tonnes of load. Each ride lasts around 10 minutes, during which the balloon rises to a height of 100–150 feet, offering panoramic views of the floodplains, nearby green spaces, and the city skyline.
Tickets are priced at ₹3,000 plus GST per person. Depending on the setup, each basket could accommodate up to 10 passengers, although most rides typically carry three to five people.
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