The West Bengal Government today signed an MoU with Bengal Aerotropolis Private Ltd (BAPL) for running helicopter service in the state under a joint venture.
State Transport Minister Madan Mitra and BAPL managing director Partha Ghosh, who signed the agreement, hoped the service would be popular soon.
"Since the state transport department has no dedicated infrastructure, the BAPL has agreed to look into the entire matter on the basis of joint participation with the state government against a nominal amount of Rs five lakh," Mitra said after signing the agreement.
Ghosh said that as per the terms of the MoU, his company would look after the administration and meet all requirements as per the guidelines of the DGCA and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
The BAPL, which have already set up the country's first private airport at Andal in Burdwan district, would also look after passenger facilitation, maintenance of helicopter and helipads in the state.
Besides, the BAPL would remain responsible for ticketing, maintenance of helipads and helicopters on a regular basis.
For the entire operation a number of officials have been assigned including one from the Changi International Airport Authority.
The state has seven helipads. Already services are being operated to six destinations from the Behala flying club runway. The destinations are Gangasagar, Durgapur, Malda, Balurghat, Santiniketan and Haldia.
"The state government has a plan to procure two more Pawan Hans helicopter, besides one operating right now," the minister said.
