India, Nov. 7 -- LUCKNOW The Uttar Pradesh government's ambitious plan to link its key spiritual and eco-tourism destinations by helicopter and small aircraft has failed to take off, nearly a year after the department of tourism and culture announced the services connecting Ayodhya, Dudhwa, Kashi, Chitrakoot and Naimisharanya.

Officials with the UP Eco-Tourism Development Board, which was tasked with running the charter operations, admit that the routes were never properly studied for passenger demand. "There was no market survey, no clarity on operational costs and no confirmed passenger load," said an insider familiar with the project. "The announcement came first, the planning later and now, the project is in limbo."

On November 25 l...