The committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, in its report on development of tourism in the North East, asked the Civil Aviation Ministry to look in to the incidents of chopper accidents seriously so that corrective measures can be taken.
In this context, the committee headed by CPI-M MP Sitaram Yechury, also drew attention to the recommendations contained in its report on 'Helicopter Operations in India' which recommended that the entire gamut of helicopter operations in the country should be reviewed.
"The committee recommends that the entire gamut of helicopter operations in India may be reviewed and adequate and appropriate steps may be taken to ensure safer helicopter travel. The committee recommends that guidelines/regulations for take off and landing of helicopters during low visibility should not only be strengthen but enforced strictly," the panel quoted from the earlier report.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu had died in a helicopter crash near Sela Pass in the state on April 30 last year.
While slamming the Centre for poor aerial connectivity to the North Eastern states, the panel felt that there was a need to promote helicopter operations to inaccessible areas having tourism potential in the region as there has been constraints in rail and road connectivity.
The Committee also asked Air India to increase flights to the region, noting that major chunk of flight operations to North East connecting Delhi are being run by private operators. (More)
