Port Blair, Oct. 26: The Member of Parliament, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has demanded to restore full helicopter services across the islands.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the Member of Parliament mentioned that helicopter services are the lifeline of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, providing essential and faster connectivity among different Islands. These services are not just a convenience but an absolute necessity, especially for medical emergencies and other critical transportation needs.
He added that for the past many months, we have been grappling with a severe shortage of helicopters, which has escalated into a serious problem. As per contract with Pawan Hans we have had a fleet of four functional helicopters based at Port Blair. However, due to various reasons, including major repairs and routine inspections, this number has dwindled.
The Member of Parliament pointed out that long back one helicopter was sent to Mumbai, Maharashtra, for major repairs, while another was temporarily withdrawn for routine inspection. Adding to our woes, a third helicopter developed technical issues, leaving us with only one operational helicopter for a period.
He mentioned that though the second helicopter has been restored to service today, the operational fleet of just two helicopters is grossly inadequate for our needs. This has particularly affected patient transport from remote islands in medical emergencies. As Nicobar District has no road connectivity these two helicopters are presently focusing on the connectivity needs of Nicobar District.
“Meanwhile, residents of North and Middle Andaman, including those in the Diglipur region, are facing immense challenges. Despite having road access, the appalling condition of the NH4 makes helicopter service an essential requirement for emergencies,” he said.
He added that a new, advanced helicopter has arrived in our islands and that three additional new helicopters are due to replace the older ones. However, delays in formalities and agreements have prevented these from being operational.
In light of the above, the Member of Parliament requested immediate intervention of the Chief Secretary in this matter.
He requested the Chief Secretary to engage with Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited to ensure that four helicopters are stationed at Port Blair as per the contractual agreement, and that services are resumed as per the previous schedule for all regions. This would provide immense relief to our residents.
He also requested to expedite the necessary paperwork and agreements for four new helicopters. “The introduction of these new, larger, and more advanced helicopters would significantly enhance service quality and reliability for the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” he added.