Ukl Helicopter service launched

 

CM launches Imphal-Ukhrul Heli service, opens DTO in five districts

The Dawn Tantak

Imphal/ Ukh Mar 11
CHIEF  Minister N. Biren Singh  launched the Imphal-Ukhrul-Imphal Route, Manipur Heli Service on Monday.

During an event held virtually at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat  in the morning, the Chief Minister also opened District Transport Offices of Jiribam, Kakching, Noney, Pherzawl and Kamjong.

Addressing the event, the Chief Minister thanked the Central government for launching the Manipur Heli-service in 2018. He further appreciated and lauded the State transport Minister Khashim Vashum and officials of the department for their efforts.The Chief Minister said that launching the Heli-service to Ukhrul today will ease the trouble of the people while transporting patients and during other emergencies.

N. Biren also highlighted that the Manipur heli-service is operating on various routes already including along Imphal – Churachandpur, Imphal to Aizwal via Churachandpur, Imphal to Lairouching, Imphal to Dimapur via Lairouching, Imphal-Moreh among others.

Since its launch in 2018, the Heli-service has flown 31,163 passengers, he said. N. Biren Singh said that the government is trying to cover major areas in the Hill districts and not only the district headquarters by the Manipur Heli-Service.

Further highlighting that fares for Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal-Tamenglong were subsidized, the Chief Minister said that the Imphal-Ukhrul fare will also be made available at the subsidised rate of Rs. 2500.

The function was also attended by Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, Ministers, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Maharajah Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs, Chief Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi, Administrative Secretaries and officials of the department. DC Ukhrul Kengoo Zuringla, officials of the district, CSO leaders and others also attended the function through video conferencing from the DC office Ukhrul.

Later the helicopter flew to  Somsai helipad, Ukhrul  led by Minister Khashim Vashum accompanied by Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah, Leishiyo Keishing MLA Phungyar and six other officers  landed at Ukhrul.