Helicopter service
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 24 2018: An official meeting presided by Chief Minister N Biren today decided to launch helicopter service in the State from the first week of June.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu, Manipur Police Housing Corporation Managing Director PM Gaud, Transport Commissioner M Lakshmikumar, Transport Director C Arthur, School Education Director Th Kirankumar and the Airport Authority of India, Imphal Director.

Earlier, the helicopter service was scheduled to be launched on May 15 but it was put off due to inclement weather.

With a view to launch the helicopter service in the first week of June, the Chief Minister instructed officials of Manipur Police Housing Corporation to complete construction of helipad at Jiribam by June 5 .

The Chief Minister also reviewed progress of the repairing work of a hangar being undertaken at the NCC Air Wing within Imphal airport for keeping Pawan Hans helicopters.

Even though the Pawan Hans helicopters which would be put into passenger service in the State have seating capacity of 11 passengers each, only nine passengers would be flown in each trip, informed a source.

Helicopter fare would be Rs 100 per minute.

The helicopter service would be launched with a flight from Imphal to Jiribam which would take the Chief Minister and some of his Ministers to Jiribam.

The Chief Minister and his Ministers would also fly to Tamenglong and Moreh as it would mark introduction of Imphal-Tamenglong and Imphal-Moreh flights, said the source.

The Government has been talking with Assam Rifles authorities for using their Moreh and Tamenglong helipads, added the source.

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