Kohima: A private helicopter company on Monday
introduced its services in Nagaland with chief minister
Neiphiu Rio taking a maiden flight from Dimapur to Kohima on a
twin engine six-seater chopper.
Thiruvanathapuram-based King Rotors and Air Charter Pvt
Ltd introduced its Helicopter services with a six-seater
Italian made Agusta-109 chopper in Nagaland following a fresh
pact singed between the state and the company.
Alighting from the navy blue chopper on Kohima Assam
Rifles helipad, the chief minister told newsmen that it was a
"great day" for the state as helicopter service by a new
company was introduced in the state and its fleet would be
stationed at Dimapur.
Rio said the commercial operation would commence from
February 8 and state Transport and Communication department
would fix time schedule and prices of the services.
The chief minister said as per the new arrangement with
King Rotors the helicopter fleets would be stationed in
Nagaland itself.
Besides the emergency requirements by the government, with
re-introduction of helicopter services, VIPs, government
officials, tourists and general public could be able to save
both money and time indirectly although the people at large
generally feel that such services are costly, Rio said.
Rio pointed out that in particular when a VIP visits from
one place to another on road a lot of administrative effort in
the form of road patrol and convoy is put besides time
consumption.
The chief minister said the helicopter services in Nagaland
had been introduced with subsidized rates for public since
both the Centre and the state government agreed to provide
subsidies at the rate of 70 and 30 per cent respectively.
Nagaland Home minister Imkong Imchen and managing director
of King Rotors Capt K N G Nair also accompanied the chief
minister in the maiden flight.
Capt Nair later told newsmen that as soon as demand picks
up, the company would introduce another 13-seater chopper in
Nagaland which has great potential for tourism sector, saying
King Rotors procured permission from Civil Aviation ministry
to operate three fleets of chopper in the state.
Capt Nair said King Rotors would introduce a few fixed
winged smaller aircrafts in next few months and was keen to
explore potential of north eastern states by mainly using
smaller airfields.
PTI
