N Biren Singh launches Heli services Imphal-Ukhrul-Imphal route

Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Monday launched the Imphal-Ukhrul-Imphal route, Manipur Heli Service during an event held virtually at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal.

During the function, Chief Minister also opened District Transport Offices of Jiribam, Kakching, Noney, Pherzawl and Kamjong Districts.

Biren, expressing his gratitude towards the Central government for the support given for the launching the Manipur Heli-service in 2018, also appreciated and lauded the State Transport minister Khashim Vashum and officials of the department for their efforts.

The Chief Minister said that the Imphal Ukhrul Heli-service will ease the trouble of the people while transporting patients and during other emergencies. While highlighting that the Manipur Heli-service is operating on various routes including Imphal - Churachandpur, Imphal to Aizawl via Churachandpur, Imphal to Lairouching, Imphal to Dimapur via Lairouching, Imphal-Moreh said “ the government is trying to cover major areas in the Hill districts and not only the district headquarters by the Manipur Heli-Service''.

Since its launch in 2018, the Heli-service has been operated by only one helicopter and has flown 31,163 passengers, he said, and further informed that another helicopter will be arriving soon.

Regarding the fares of the Heli Service, he said that fares for Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal- Tamenglong were subsidized. He further said that Imphal- Ukhrul fare will also be made available at the subsidised rate of Rs. 2500.

The Heli Service launching function was attended by Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, Ministers, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Maharajah Leishemba Sanajaoba, MLAs, Chief Secretary, Administrative Secretaries and officials of the department. DC and other officials of the district, CSO leaders and others also attended the function through video conferencing from the DC office Ukhrul.

Later in a function held at Hapta Kangjeibung in Imphal East, the Manipur Chief Minister also distributed welfare benefits to select beneficiaries (next of Kin) of Accidental Death benefits and Natural Deaths.

In the function organized by the Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (MBOCWWB) under Department of Skills, Labour, Employment & Entrepreneurship, the Manipur CM handed cheques to select beneficiaries which will be transferred to the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer.

Addressing a mammoth gathering, Biren said that today we are all together facing a hard time, but with the grace of God we are returning towards peace and normalcy.

Expressing sadness at the loss of lives, properties, and misery caused by the recent crisis, the Chief Minister said that the government has taken up all possible steps to ensure that such unfortunate events do not repeat in the future.