AIZAWL, August 19: Mizoram
Aviation department officials have stated that helicopter service in the
State, has been a great help to the people. The chopper service is
especially helpful in taking patients to city hospitals in case of
emergency and on way back to home from the hospitals, said the
officials.
Pawan Hans has been giving the chopper service here since August 14, 2012. During the past one year since helicopter service began in Mizoram, it has been chartered (due to medical emergency) 21 times, out of which 20 times were within Mizoram, while once was to Guwahati, Assam, the officials reported.
At present, chopper service is rendered to 10 places in the State - Champhai, Khawzawl, Serchhip, Hnahthial, Lunglei, Chawngte, Lawngtlai, Saiha, Mamit and Kolasib. Out of these, Champhai, Lawngtlai, Saiha and Mamit are recorded to have comparatively more passengers, informed the Aviation officials.
Aviation officials then said, "New helipads will be constructed in Champhai, Saitual, Thenzawl and Mamit with Rs. 92 lakhs being the 1st installment of the fund sanctioned by DoNER." The amount has also been handed over to state PWD, and the work is expected to begin soon, the officials added.
The helicopter service in Mizoram was inaugurated on August 14, 2012 by Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, with the inaugural flight to Lunglei on the very first day. From August 21, 2012, the hired Choppers started rendering service to different parts of Mizoram. So far, Mizoram government has paid Rs. 1.04 crore to Pawan Hans in May, being dues of rental charge up to December 2012; about Rs 2 crore dues yet to pay. Since helicopters are not allowed to be stationed (at night) at Thuampui helipad, but at Lengpui airport only, the expenditure over the chopper service is therefore soaring high, sources said.
The helicopter service, although it has the capacity of 11 passengers in a singly flight, allows to carry only 6 passengers at a time, since Mizoram is located at a very high altitude from the sea level. One ticket costs Rs.50 per minute. As of now, 10 routes have been arranged for the service, with Aizawl Thuampui Helipad being the "Main Operational Hub’, from where it will render service to Saiha (50 minutes), Lawngtlai (50), Champhai (25), Khawzawl (20), Lunglei (30), Kamlanagar (45), Hnahthial (30), Serchhip (17) and Kolasib (15).
As per schedule, the chopper renders its service for 6 days in a week. Tickets are available at the deputy commissioner offices in the eight districts of Mizoram. Since safety is the main concern, security duty and fire service has been provided at each helipad. The helicopters can be hired or chartered personally, for which the rate will be Rs.70,000 per hour, waiting charge free up to 45 minutes but if it crosses the limit the waiting charge will be Rs. 10,000 for every 30 minutes.