Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 14 December 2023
The Chairman of the ANTCC Campaign Committee, Mr. TSG Bhasker, has brought attention to the critical issue of insufficient seating capacity in helicopters operating in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
In a formal communication directed to the Chief Secretary of the A&N Administration, Mr. Bhasker emphasized the notably low seating capacity available in the helicopters operated by Pawan Hans within the A&N Islands. He expressed concern that on numerous occasions, the majority of seats are occupied by government officials, resulting in significant difficulties for the general public, especially in urgent situations.
“Immediate evacuation of medical patients from remote areas like Diglipur, Mayabunder, and Rangat becomes imperative due to poor road conditions. However, the limited seating capacity in helicopters poses tremendous challenges for patients and their families during such emergencies,” Mr. Bhasker stated in his letter.
To address this pressing issue, he urged the Chief Secretary to explore the feasibility of procuring helicopters with higher seating capacities, ideally ranging between 20 to 25 seats. Such an initiative, Mr. Bhasker stressed, would be instrumental in meeting the demands and urgent requirements of the local population effectively.
The call for increased seating capacity in helicopters emerges from the necessity to facilitate timely and efficient transportation, particularly for medical emergencies and remote area accessibility, ensuring the well-being of residents in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.