Chhattisgarh chopper grounded, government to search for new

The constant snag developed in the state chopper had forced Chhattisgarh government to plan purchasing a new helicopter for the official use in the state.

The state-owned chopper Augusta had been grounded following technical snag developed in air with important personalities on board. The helicopter had developed problems twice in last one month. As the snag came to the notice of the pilot, he immediately returned to Raipur and safely landed.

"Following the frequent snag developed in the chopper, the department of aviation (of the Chhattisgarh government) is working on a proposal to purchase a new helicopter for the state," a senior official in the department said.

The plan is only on the initial stage and will be finalised in the first week of January 2014, the official added.

The chopper was purchased from the Italian company for Rs 26 crore in December 2007.

The new chopper was purchased as the old one "Maina" crashed in Rajnandgaon district killing all the persons on board. The officials said the state chopper had completed five years and it was high time to replace the existing one, the official added.

The chief pilot and the department officials were trying to convince the state's finance department that new purchase would not put additional burden on the state chequer.

"The old helicopter could be sold that would earn more than Rs 15," the officials said, adding that adding nominal share would help purchasing a new chopper in the state.

The department had also communicated that the existing chopper had complete five years of flying and it was suitable time to replace it with the latest model that had better safety features, the officials added.