State-run helicopter operator Pawan Hans has sought guarantee of at least four passengers in a six-seater helicopter for carrying out uninterrupted commercial helicopter service between Bhubaneswar and port town of Paradip in Odisha.
Sources said the Pawan Hans authorities intimated the State government about this operational feasibility aspect of the proposed helicopter service.
“The cost of per seat from Bhubaneswar and Paradip will be Rs. 5000 to Rs 6000 one way and unless guarantee of seats are made the operation will not last. In a six-seater helicopter four guaranteed seats are required and in a day three sorties are necessary to make the helicopter service regular and permanent,” according to a government proceeding that quoted Pawan Hans Chairman and Managing Director, B. P. Sharma.
While the State government instantly expressed its inability to provide such guarantee of passengers, it left to public sector units such as Paradip Port Trust and Indian Oil operating in Paradip to mull over the proposal.
Joy ride service
Instead, government had suggested to start joy ride service from Bhubaneswar to Konark, Puri and Chilika which could be later extended to Paradip.
Paradip is a fast emerging industrial belt in whole eastern India. Indian Oil Corporation has already set up its mega oil refinery facility at Paradip and many downstream industries have lined up around the refinery project. Besides, Petroleum Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) which could attract investment to the tune of Rs. 2,74,000 crore has been sanctioned at Paradip.
Paradip Port, however, come forward to provide basic ground infrastructure free of coast in order to help the helicopter service take off.
Prasanta Patnaik