Chopper ride launch on June 16

Pawan Hans Limited, the central government-owned helicopter company, will launch its services in Bengal from June 16. A BEL 206 L4 helicopter will take off from the airstrip of the Indian Army near the Race Course in Calcutta on June 16 and there will be two-three 10-minute sorties on the first day. The services are being launched according to a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the state government and the company in March. The state had proposed to Pawan Hans to introduce helicopter services in Calcutta and surrounding areas and also to connect the state capital with different towns in north and south Bengal. Pawan Hans at present flies a helicopter (file picture) between Gangtok and Bagdogra. Sources said the general manager (marketing) of Pawan Hans had written to the state transport department on June 6 that the A BEL 206 L4 helicopter could accommodate six passengers and two pilots. “The company will offer joy rides for 10 minutes against a payment of Rs 2,000 and a charter service would cost around Rs 50,000 per hour. Pawan Hans will introduce a service between Calcutta and Haldia also, provided necessary infrastructure is put in place by the state government,” said a source.