Meghalaya rejects Pawan Hans proposal to resume services

Meghalaya government has rejected a proposal of the Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited to resume its services in the state which were suspended following the April 30 crash that killed former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu along with four others.

"Officials of the helicopter service approached us about a week back, but we have refused," transport minister AT Mondal said today.

Mondal said despite the company’s assurance of providing brand new choppers, the government was not convinced considering the past history of the service.

The state government had earlier written to the Director General of Civil Aviation for initiating a process of floating fresh tenders for roping in companies for operating choppers in the state.

“We are awaiting a response from the DGCA. The Airport Authority of India has also been asked to give suggestions. We would be also holding a meeting with IAF officials for technical help during the bidding process,” Mondal said.

Along with Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Sikkim, Nagaland and Manipur, Meghalaya too had suspended operations of the Pawan Hans after the April 30 crash.

Tripura and Sikkim have allowed the company to resume its services.