Srinagar: In a major concern for Jammu and Kashmir government, the state continues to ferry VVIPs including Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his cabinet colleagues in two ‘outdated’ helicopters putting their lives at risk. Interestingly, the move to buy a third helicopter has got stuck in technical hitches despite strong pressure from an ‘influential group’ of state functionaries.
Sources in the state’s Civil Aviation Department told Greater Kashmir that J&K has only two choppers, including one single-engine helicopter, which are prone to technical snags. “The first helicopter was procured in 2001 and the second one in 2006. However, both are old fashioned now,” they said.
In the recent past, a state chopper carrying Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and top politicians developed a technical snag forcing the pilot to make emergency landing. “The helicopters are being put at the service for Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister. Ministers too can seek the services of choppers at certain occasions,” said a source in the Civil Aviation Department.
Sources said the government is under tremendous pressure to buy a third chopper given the fact that many legislators of remote areas have made personal requests to the government on the matter.
07/07/13 Abid Bashir/Greater Kashmir
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Sources in the state’s Civil Aviation Department told Greater Kashmir that J&K has only two choppers, including one single-engine helicopter, which are prone to technical snags. “The first helicopter was procured in 2001 and the second one in 2006. However, both are old fashioned now,” they said.
In the recent past, a state chopper carrying Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and top politicians developed a technical snag forcing the pilot to make emergency landing. “The helicopters are being put at the service for Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister. Ministers too can seek the services of choppers at certain occasions,” said a source in the Civil Aviation Department.
Sources said the government is under tremendous pressure to buy a third chopper given the fact that many legislators of remote areas have made personal requests to the government on the matter.
07/07/13 Abid Bashir/Greater Kashmir
