Neiphiu Rio flags off helicopter service for Nagaland

DIMAPUR— Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday flagged off helicopter service at Dimapur Airport to carter to the needs of the people, especially the sick and the elderly.

The government of Nagaland has signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Thumby Aviation Pvt. Ltd. under the Ministry of Home Affairs for operation of two helicopters (Bell 412) in the state for a period of four years, with an annual ceiling of 1,200 flying hours.

In his brief address, Rio asked the Thumby Aviation to provide good service to the people of Nagaland and reminded them of regular distribution of schedules, updated DPRO Dimapur.

While maintaining that traveling by chopper has become cheaper, he underscored the need for two choppers, so that one could be kept for regularly catering to the needs and welfare of the people, and the other to be used during VVIP visits and also for the movement of VIP/official to far-flung areas.

The chief minister also felt that chopper services should be available especially during the Hornbill Festival so that tourists can get the opportunity to visit Dzukou valley.

Highlighting the operation of helicopter services in the state, General Manager of Nagaland State Transport, Shikaho P Yepthomi said the service was first introduced in 1988 but was discontinued due to the unfortunate crash in 1989.

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He further informed that helicopter services were re-introduced in Nagaland again in 2007 under the initiative of CM Rio and it has been rendering services since then.

‘Due to the heavy demand of the service, the government has taken initiative with the MHA and now flying hours have been increased from 480 hours to 600 hours per annum, for the benefit of the people,’ the general manager added.

Chairman and Managing Director of the Aviation Co., Captain KNG Nair, informed they will be operating with 2 Bell 412 helicopters while another chopper A 109 will be kept on standby.

‘The aircraft has a sitting capacity of 13 passengers plus two pilots, while the baggage compartment can carry around 400 pounds of cargo,’ added Nair.

It may be mentioned that the company has been operating in Nagaland on a 2-year term contract basis since 2010; initially with one helicopter but increased to two choppers in the first year itself due to increase in demand.