Aircraft For CM: APACL Proposal

Andhra Pradesh Aviation Corporation Limited (APACL) has put forward a proposal for acquiring an aircraft for Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, with his security in view.

The proposal was mentioned by Roads & Buildings (R&B) Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao while demanding grants for roads, buildings and ports for 2011-12, in the Assembly on Tuesday.

The R&B department has provided APACL an amount of Rs. 23 crores in the budget estimates for 2011-12 to meet the expenditure on the operation and maintenance of the aircraft, and also for the hiring of a helicopter from other sources when the state helicopter is grounded for normal maintenance.

The proposal to purchase a private jet was first mooted in 2008, when the late YSR was Chief Minister. His successor Rosaiah, too, had rejected the proposal when it was put forward during his tenure, keeping in view the sluggish economic situation of the state.

Rosaiah had then directed the officials concerned not to entertain such proposals as he believed there was no necessity to spend such huge amounts on an aircraft.

The CMO had proposed to buy a 15-seater aircraft after Rosaiah had expressed reluctance to fly in a helicopter. This reluctance had been attributed to the chopper crash which claimed the life of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. Rosaiah had opted to travel by train on many occasions, despite keeping ill health on account of his advanced age.

However, this time, security concerns have forced the administration to consider going ahead with the purchase of a private jet.

The APACL has been using a AW-139 to fly VIPs including the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Union Ministers, for attending to relief works in the aftermath of natural calamities, and during police emergencies.

The APACL had 2 helicopters - Bell 430 (which was destroyed in the crash that killed YSR) and Augusta Westland 139 (AW-139).

According to sources, the CMO hopes that new airports with runways that accomodate a small jet will be ready in at least some places in the state.

While regular flights are available only to 4 locations outside Hyderabad in the state where airports are in operation, the Railway is the only option left for officials, though the government proposes to build new airports in 7 other regions in the state.

Courtesy: INN