IMPHAL, Sept 18 - Manipur will get its first ever helicopter service, which will operate from Imphal to Jiribam and back, from Wednesday. The service is being launched to carry passengers and patients from remote areas of the border State.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh and other ministers will fly to Jiribam, located about 222 km from here, to formally launch the chopper service tomorrow morning, officials said. Jiribam is a new district headquarters bordering Cachar district of Assam.
The ministerial team will also inaugurate a women�s market shed and lay the foundation stone of transit quarters for teachers and doctors. Besides, a Cabinet meeting will also be held at Jiribam.
The ticket counter of the helicopter service will be inaugurated at the Imphal International Airport tomorrow morning prior to the formal launching ceremony at Jiribam, C Arthur Worchuiyo, Director of the State Transport Department, said.
He added that helicopter services have also been mooted for Tamenglong and Moreh towns to improve connectivity. Clearance from the Assam Rifles authorities is being awaited in this regard.
The Noida-based Pawan Hans Ltd, which has deployed helicopters in six NE States for passenger service, medical evacuation and VIP transportation, will provide the helicopter service with an eight-seater chopper in Manipur.
