Imphal, December 06 2010: Imphal-Moreh and Imphal-Jiribam via Tamenglong helicopter services are likely to introduced as soon as state government provides information with regard to ground preparation for service which had been sought by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Giving a green signal to the proposed helicopter service in the state, Union Ministry of Home Affairs had asked the state government to submit the requisite information with regard to feasibility of the proposed service, an official source said.

Recently MHA joint secretary (NE) asked the state home department to furnish the requisite information stating that Centre has agreed to the introduction of helicopter service in the state, initially between Imphal-Tamenglong-Jiribam and Imphal-Moreh.

The MHA proposed helicopter service three times a week for the Imphal-Tamenglong-Jiribam service and daily for Imphal-Moreh.

MHA took the decision of introducing service in these two routes considering the availability of passengers willing to avail of the services on these two routes, the source said.

Keeping in view of passenger amenities and security, MHA also decided that the helipads for Imphal-Tamenglong-Jiribam will be at Tulihal airport (Imphal airport), Tamenglong 11 AR helipad (Tamenglong district headquarters) and Jiribam High School Ground, Jiribam while that of Moreh at 31 AR Helipad, Moreh and Tulihal airport.

The approximate flying time for Imphal-Tamenglong is around 20 minutes, Tamenglong-Jiribam 15 minutes, Imphal-Jiribam direct 30 minutes, and Imphal-Moreh 27 minutes.

The helicopter service will be co-ordinated by State Transport director.

The director is to depute his nominees at Tamenglong district headquarters, ADCs at Jiribam and Moreh.

State police department will provides security for each helipad.

One company of armed security personnel with 10 personnel of CID (SB) in plain clothes for frisking and checking duties and 15 civil police personnel at access points are proposed to be deployed by the police department, the source said.

It may be mentioned that the MHA has agreed to the introduction of helicopter services in the state by suggesting that M/s Pawan Hans Ltd may provide helicopters on the same pattern and on the same subsidy basis as is being supported by the MHA for such services in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya.

Accordingly, MHA has also asked the state government to examine the feasibility of operating helicopters hired by MHA from a Guwahati base on the above routes via Senapati once a week for exclusive use by the state government.

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