IMPHAL — A helicopter service along the Imphal-Ukhrul-Imphal route was formally launched at a virtual event held at the Chief Minister's Secretariat on Monday.
Addressing the event, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who also opened District Transport Offices of Jiribam, Kakching, Noney, Pherzawl and Kamjong, thanked the Central government for launching helicopter service in Manipur in 2018, while lauding State transport Minister Khashim Vashum and officials of the department for their efforts.
He said the helicopter service between Ukhrul and the state capital will ease the trouble faced by the people while transporting patients and during other emergencies.
He also highlighted that the service is already operational on various routes including Imphal -Churachandpur, Imphal to Aizwal via Churachandpur, Imphal to Lairouching, Imphal to Dimapur via Lairouching, Imphal-Moreh, among others.
Since its launch in 2018, the helicopter service has flown 31,163 passengers, he said, adding that the government is trying to cover major areas in the hill districts and not only the district headquarters.
Further highlighting that fares for Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal-Tamenglong were subsidized, he said the Imphal-Ukhrul fare will also be made available at a subsidised rate of INR 2500.
Meanwhile, the chief minister also urged people collecting donations along the road to stop immediately so as not to cause disturbances to others.
The Imphal-Ukhrul helicopter service launch event was also attended by Khashim Vashum, ministers, Rajya Sabha MP Maharajah Leishemba Sanajaoba, Chief Secretary, Administrative Secretaries and officials of the department, while DC Ukhrul, officials and CSO leaders joined the function via video conferencing from the DC office Ukhrul.
In its first flight, a 10-seater Pawan Hans helicopter carrying three legislators from Ukhrul -- Khashim Vashum, Ram Muivah and Leishiyo Keishing -- took off from Imphal International Airport at 10.45 am on Monday before landing at Somsai helipad near Ukhrul town around 11.30 am.