 "Akhilesh Yadav (File photo)")
The Uttar Pradesh government is getting ready to loosen its purse once again to add another flying machine to its existing fleet of aircraft to fly VVIPs in the state.
The proposed new aircraft would be an addition to the existing fleet of over half a dozen aircraft and helicopters owned by the state civil aviation department. These are used by top state government functionaries, including the chief minister, chief secretary and director general of Police for official purposes, emergency situations and circumstances of public welfare.
A five member team of state officials had recently attended Singapore Air Show, which is Asia's biggest such event, for finalising a deal in this regard. The team comprised Civil Aviation Principal Secretary Anita Singh, Secretary S K Raghuvanshi, Director Devendra Swarup etc.
An official, who was part of the delegation, told Business Standard on condition of anonymity that the state government was keen to get a new aircraft. "We have submitted our report to the government after returning from the Singapore Air Show. Now, the government would study the report to take a call accordingly," he added.
The fleet of aircraft managed by UP is amongst the largest in its league, with most state governments owning only 4-5 such flying machines to ferry their VVIPs.
Last year, the state government had procured two aircraft — 9-seater Super King Air B-250 aircraft worth Rs 40 crore and a Bell helicopter costing nearly Rs 85 crore. The deal was finalised after a team of state officials had toured the US for the purpose.
Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav prefers to travel by Bell helicopter within the confines of the state during tours and visits.
Currently, the fleet includes three aircraft of Hawker and Super King brands, while the helicopters comprise Bell and Agusta Grand makes.
Earlier, the government had sold a Super King aircraft and a Bell helicopter to make way for new flying machines.
During her regime in the state, previous chief minister Mayawati had also bought a Hawker aircraft at a cost of about Rs 70 crore to fly her.
The state government maintains a crew of about 10 pilots to fly these aircraft and helicopters, supported by a team of in-house aeronautical engineers.
Most aircraft have seating capacity of 7-8 people and are parked in a facility adjacent to Lucknow airport.
The civil aviation department owns 15 air strips in the state at Ambedkar Nagar, Ghazipur, Sultanpur, Aligarh, Meerut, Farrukhabad, Faizabad, Kushingar, Sonebhadra, Kheri, Etawah, Shravasti, Moradabad, Azamgarh and Chitrkoot. Another airstrip in Jhansi has been given to the Indian Army.
