GOI Approves Project for Complete Fleet Upgradation of Helicopters
Port Blair, Oct. 5: The Directorate of Civil Aviation under the aegis of Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India has initiated many steps to augment the inter-island air connectivity. The rolling out of these projects will bolster inter-island travel and will have a cascading effect on the growth of tourism in the Islands. Govt. of India has approved the project for complete fleet upgradation of Helicopters. The present Dauphin N3 Helicopters will be replaced, and new helicopters with advanced features and increased carrying capacity will be inducted through Pawan Hans Limited. The project will cost Rs. 415 crores. Safety of passengers and flying capacity in difficult weather conditions are the prominent features of the new helicopters. The new helicopters will provide comfortable journeys to the Islanders and it will also improve the Inter-Island connectivity at large.
The helicopter operations require safe landing areas and presently there are 19 Helipads in A&N Islands. Out of the 19 Helipads, 11 are frequently used by the Civil Aviation Department. The Administration has prepared a plan for further expansion of new Helipads. The new Helipads will be categorized as ‘Emergency Helipads’. These helipads will be constructed in those Islands, which are inhabited and not connected by air. Under this initiative, new Helipads are being constructed at Smith Island and Hanspuri at a cost of Rs. 1.45 Crores and Rs. 1.70 Crores respectively. Apart from this, new locations have also been identified where emergency Helipads are proposed to be constructed such as Afra Bay, Maccachua and Pilomillow. The vision is to provide connectivity to all the inhabited Islands, so that during any emergency or disaster, the Administration is able to reach out to the residents of that area.
Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme -UDAN of Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), GOI, two segments are being implemented to provide connectivity, the first segment is operation of small fixed winged aircraft. Under this MoCA has identified three under-served defense airports in the Islands for operation of small, fixed wing aircraft. The selected routes are between Port Blair- Shibpur (Diglipur), Port Blair-Car Nicobar and Car Nicobar-Campbell Bay. Under this, the Passenger Terminal at Shibpur Airbase has already been completed and has been handed over to the AAI. The operation and management agreement between the A&N Administration and Airport Authority of India (AAI) for operationalization of Shibpur Airport by AAI has been signed. Passenger Terminals are under construction at Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay, it is expected that Passenger Terminal at Car Nicobar will be ready by October, 2023, the Passenger Terminal at Campbell Bay Airstrip is expected to be completed by March, 2024, this will pave the way for operation of small, fixed wing aircraft in the Islands.
Under Regional Connectivity Scheme -UDAN of Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), GoI, the second segment is development of Water Aerodromes for operation of Seaplane at an estimated cost of Rs. 58 Crores at Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Long Island. Under this, Port Blair-Swaraj Dweep, Port Blair – Shaheed Dweep and Port Blair – Long Island have been identified as the routes for seaplane operation. The requisite environment clearance for the three locations has been granted by the Ministry of Environment Forest &Climate Change (MoEF&CC). The land side development is being executed by APWD besides design finalization, the estimate preparation of work is completed, and construction work is proposed to commence soon. The sea- side development work is being executed through ALHW, for which, it has completed the tendering process and work will be awarded soon.
The Department is operating regular helicopter services through Pawan Hans Helicopters since 2004. During the year 2022-2023, a total of 1409 sorties were made wherein 17,795 passengers including 424 patients travelled to/from inter-island destinations. The PHL helicopters are also pressed into service to evacuate serious medical patients for specialized treatment. Inter-island air travel is also facilitated through Indian Air Force Dornier between Port Blair – Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay on a bi-weekly basis since 2016. The Islanders are being provided with 90% subsidized fares and they have to pay only 10%. The Govt. employees posted in A&N Islands and proceeding on duty are provided 75% subsidy, dependent family member of Govt. Servants posted in A&N Islands are provided 90% subsidized fare for Inter-Island movement. Medical evacuation of patients is done without any charge to patient and attendant.
The roll out of the projects will bring about enhancement in the aviation sector of the Islands with improved connectivity throughout the Islands which will eventually provide the required fillip to boost the Islands economy.