Srinagar: The State Government Thursday gave its nod to a proposal by the Civil Aviation Department to add one more VIP helicopter to its fleet.
A high-level committee headed by the State Chief Secretary Iqbal Khanday was constituted to work out the modalities for procurement of a ‘Light Twin-Engine Helicopter’ suitable for Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources said the Government has already shortlisted some foreign companies and carried out technical evaluation for the purchase of the chopper. They said the Committee would now work out the modalities including cost of the helicopter and forward its recommendations to the Cabinet which would take a final call on the issue.
The move comes at a time when concerns are being raised by some quarters over the existing fleet of “outdated” helicopters in the State.
At present J&K has a fleet of one fixed-wing aircraft (King Air-350) and two helicopters–double engine Augusta 109 and single engine Bell 407.
The 2006 model Augusta is used to ferry VVIPs and VIPs including Governor, Chief Minister and the cabinet ministers to remote and inaccessible areas while as the 2001-model Bell has been kept for ferrying ministers of State, officials from administration and is used for carrying out relief and rescues operation including evacuation of patients and injured persons, as and when required.
29/08/13 Mudda Sir Ali/Gerater Kashmir
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A high-level committee headed by the State Chief Secretary Iqbal Khanday was constituted to work out the modalities for procurement of a ‘Light Twin-Engine Helicopter’ suitable for Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources said the Government has already shortlisted some foreign companies and carried out technical evaluation for the purchase of the chopper. They said the Committee would now work out the modalities including cost of the helicopter and forward its recommendations to the Cabinet which would take a final call on the issue.
The move comes at a time when concerns are being raised by some quarters over the existing fleet of “outdated” helicopters in the State.
At present J&K has a fleet of one fixed-wing aircraft (King Air-350) and two helicopters–double engine Augusta 109 and single engine Bell 407.
The 2006 model Augusta is used to ferry VVIPs and VIPs including Governor, Chief Minister and the cabinet ministers to remote and inaccessible areas while as the 2001-model Bell has been kept for ferrying ministers of State, officials from administration and is used for carrying out relief and rescues operation including evacuation of patients and injured persons, as and when required.
29/08/13 Mudda Sir Ali/Gerater Kashmir
