By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Fear has subsided since the tragic chopper crash on September 22, 2004 with Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma travelling the most after the chopper service resumed on July last.
Transport Minister AT Mondal told The Shillong Times on Friday that safety measures had been introduced by Pawan Hans and there was no reason to worry while flying.
Pawan Hans is currently operating N3 series twin engine Dauphin aero special helicopters in the State.
Though there was an interruption in the service due to the fear factor after the 2004 crash incident, the State Government suspended the operations of Pawan Hans choppers only on April 30, 2011 after a Pawan Hans helicopter carrying then Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu crashed.
While the Chief Minister is a frequent passenger in the Pawan Hans chopper, Governor RS Mooshahary also uses the chopper to reach distant places, an official said.
Despite inclement weather, Union Power Minister M Veerappa Moily used the chopper to fly from Guwahati to Shillong recently, Mondal said, adding that the Chief Minister had also flown to Mendipathar and Resubelpara in Garo Hills among other places.
“As per the agreement, Pawan Hans assured us that the safety of the passengers will be ensured and the government has also asked Pawan Hans to conduct monthly maintenance of the choppers,” the Minister said.
According to the Transport Minister, people are making use of the chopper service, though the passengers are less during monsoon season.
“We hope that the chopper service will pick up in the days to come,” Mondal added.
However, after the chopper service resumed, the Transport Minister has not got a chance to travel.
Ruling out the fear factor, Mondal said, “It is not at all due to fear, the fact is that I am not getting a chance to use the chopper to travel.”
As per the official figures available till August 31, from July 30 when the normal passenger service commenced, the helicopter had flown 18 days and 144 passengers availed the service.
While the cost of ticket per trip to Tura from Shillong for an individual is Rs 1,900, the price of the ticket from Shillong to Guwahati is Rs 1,500.