After 5-month gap, Manipur chopper service re-launched

IMPHAL: A helicopter service between Imphal International Airport here to Jiribam near the Assam-Manipur was relaunched in Manipur on Wednesday. This move will help cover the 222 kliometre distance in less than 30 minutes.


The facility, launched by a private firm which signed an MoU with state transport department to fly its copters till March 31 next year, comes after PSU Pawan Hans discontinued its services in the state in February without citing any reason after launching it in September last year.

Speaking at the ceremony, chief minister N Biren Singh said the ‘Manipur Heli Service’ (MHS) would help ease hardships faced by the people living in far flung places of the state. He emphasised the need for more helicopter services in the state where 90% of the area comprises hilly terrain and several interior areas are inaccessible. He added that a direct flight from Imphal to neighbouring Myanmar’s Mandalay is on the cards, besides an increase in the number of flights from the Imphal to other parts of India.