Pawan Hans Signs MoU with Bengal govt for helicopter service in state

The MoU allows collaboration between PHL, WB to develop infrastructure and connectivity for helicopter services in the state

Pawan Hans Ltd (PHL) on Monday entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with West Bengal government to provide helicopter services in the state.

The MoU allows for collaboration between PHL, a government of India enterprise and West Bengal government to develop infrastructure and connectivity for helicopter services in the state. "We are yet to finalise on the route-map. Initially we would like to start with two helicopters. But we need to study the market first to see how is the demand,"  Pawan Hans  chairman-cum-Managing Director Anil Srivastav said.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee suggested Kolkata-Haldia-Digha and Kolkata-Dimond Harbour-Raichak as initial routes. "Also there so many airstrips in the states in places like Malda, Balurghat. We can have services in all these places," Banerjee said.

To facilitate the introduction of services, the state government is planning subsidise eight seats in each trip. "The state government can  bear the fare for eight seats for a period of one yea, if it does not find enough passenger," she added.

During the event, Banerjee also asked PHL chairman Anil Srivastavt start the services as soon as possible. "I do not like delay. Do not take too much time to start services," she said.