Meghalaya had sought from bidders for an all-weather twin-engine chopper which could withstand the test of erratic climatic condition prevailing in the state, the terrain and which uses state-of-the-art safety technology.
"Except for Pawan Hans Pvt Ltd, no other service providers have come forward to bid in the tendering process which begun since March 30 and re-extended for several times," Mondal told PTI.
Initially four bidders had come forward and sought for more clarification in the matter but later they did not turn up after realizing that the profit component would not be as they expected, he said.
"We are in the process to study the bid and after that we will take a decision on whether or not their service will be resumed," the Minister said.
According to the chopper service plan of the government, the service providers should be ready to fly in the Shillong-Tura-Guwahati-Shillong route. It will need to be flown to other stations too on the directions of the state government besides that it should also be made available for additional flights, beyond the normal flight schedule, as and when necessary, an official bid statement said.
Pawan Hans began their services in Meghalaya in March 1988, but was later suspended because the company said the service was "financially unviable." more