Government picks out Sikorsky S range helicopter, with a price tag of Rs 50 crore, for state VVIPs; deliberates getting aircraft for state police force as well
Government picks out Sikorsky S range helicopter, with a price tag of Rs 50 crore, for state VVIPs; deliberates getting aircraft for state police force as well
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The Dolphin is old and ailing. Patching it up is costly. And state dignitaries need a robust machine to fly in. Therefore, the Maharashtra Government has decided to go shopping for a brand new chopper to ferry its high-profile functionaries in the state.
Doing away with its current decade-old machine, the Dolphin helicopter, officials say, the state will acquire a Sikorsky S range. 
The decision to invest in a new machine was taken after economics dictated that getting a new chopper was more cost-effective than overhauling the old one.
Fixing the Dolphin which would need to be retrofitted, would cost the state between Rs 15 to 20 crore. While
purchasing the one the state has its eyes on would cost Rs 50 crore.
State Civil Aviation Secretary Nandkumar Jantre confirmed that the state was buying a new helicopter with VVIP configuration. "We are in the process of procuring a new helicopter."
The Sikorsky-S range will come fitted with a configuration that suits the needs of VVIPs, and will be used by dignitaries such as the chief minister, deputy chief minister and the governor, besides other senior functionaries.
"It would make no sense to retrofit the helicopter we are using now as the costs do not fit into our economics.u00a0 Therefore, we decided to procure a new one," said a state government official.
Last year, the state aviation department was in the process of buying a new aircraft but decided to go for retrofitting following a cabinet decision. At that time, the state cabinet thought it better to save money, given its tight finances.
Chopper for cops
It's not just the big-shot babus and netas. The state is also contemplating buying one and renting another for police forces.
The new aircraft will help them carry out monitoring activities and reaching sites of emergency promptly and efficiently.
The proposal includes two helicopters - one for the city and the other for the Naxal-hit areas such as Gadchiroli and Chandrapur.
"The state is looking at various options including renting out a helicopter as well as buying one for police operations," said an official.
"As such, it will be equipped to deal with various emergencies. We are yet to finalise anything," he elaborated further.
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