Arunachal to reintroduce helicopter service from Sep 12

Itnagar: Arunachal Pradesh has decided to reintroduce helicopter service to Assam with a private operator replacing Pawan Hans whose services were rejected by the state cabinet following two chopper crashes, including that involving former chief minister Dorjee Khandu.

The state government has approved introduction of an eight-seater Global Vectra Bell 412 helicopter for services between Guwahati and Naharlagun for four days a week from September 12, officials said today.

Passengers would be able to avail the chopper service on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, they said.

The cabinet had earlier rejected the service of public sector Pawan Hans and opted for private operators. The Centre provides 75 per cent subsidy for the service.

Chief Minister Jarbom Gamlin had said on August 4 that the state government would float a global tender for reintroducing the helicopter service.

Seventeen people, including tourists, were killed when a Mi-17 Pawan Hans helicopter crashed while landing at the Tawang heliport on April 19.

On April 30, Dorjee Khandu and four others were killed when another Pawan Hans helicopter carrying them crashed in a place between Kyela and Lobothang in the mountainous region of Arunachal Pradesh.

Gamlin had earlier said that the team investigating the Khandu chopper crash had collected material evidence from the accident site and sent them to France for scientific analysis.

The outcome would be known after receipt of the report.