Imphal-Mandalay flight service to start soon

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, August 21, 2019: Imphal-Mandalay flight service would be started soon, said Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh as he re-launched Manipur Heli Service at Imphal International Airport on Wednesday.

The ministry of Home Affairs has agreed to hold a meeting with the flight operators to materialise the plans for the international flight service. The state government had urged the Centre to increase the number of flights from Imphal to various parts of the country, the chief minister said.

Imphal-Dibrugarh flight service will be introduced soon, he added.

The chief minister also announced that a new runway would be constructed soon in the Imphal International Airport. The tender process of the project amounting to around Rs 600 crores is almost complete, he added.

The re-launched helicopter service will connect Imphal with Jiribam, Tamenglong and Moreh.

Manipur Heli Service under MHA Helicopter Service was earlier operated by service provider Pawan Hans Ltd. Global Vectra Helicorp Limited is the present service provider for the Manipur Heli Service.

The government appointed Global Vectra Helicorp Limited as service provider for the Manipur Heli Service for the period upto March 31, 2020. BELL 412EP helicopter with seating capacity of 8-10 passengers will be deployed for the service, Biren said.

He said the present government decided to introduce Manipur Heli Service so as to ease out the hardships faced by the people living in the remote parts of the state. The chopper service will cater to the critical need of safe, fast and cheap means of transport for the people, he added.

The government is also planning to introduce helicopter service for the tourists which would offer sightseeing experience in the state. Under UDAN-2, the ministry of Home Affairs has agreed to operate Manipur Heli Service connecting Imphal to Parbung and Thanlon soon, he added.

Deputy chief minister Y. Joykumar with ministers and MLAs, chief secretary, commissioner and director of transport, IPR director and top civil and police officials attended the function.