By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Centre will introduce 26-seater aircraft to improve connectivity between the north-eastern states.
Speaking to reporters before leaving for Delhi on Sunday, Union Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi said the Centre is making efforts to purchase the smaller aircraft in order to bring better connectivity among the region’s states.
Since surface communication is very slow due to the difficult terrain in the North-East, introduction of smaller aircraft would help improve the communication network, he said.
Ravi said he had discussed the matter with DoNER Minister BK Handique and further meetings will be held in this regard.
According to Ravi, the Centre would have a special aviation policy for the North-East to ensure increased air connectivity to all the states through Guwahati which would be the regional hub of air operations.
“To make Guwahati the regional hub, we will have to post more engineers, equipment and aircraft,” Ravi said.
On Pawan Hans helicopters, the Minister said the government had not taken any decision to resume the chopper service in the region.
Ravi has urged the private helicopter operators to approach the government to explore the possibility of deploying choppers in the North-East.
