Lucknow: Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has decided to sell off the state plane that skidded and nosedived with his uncle and cabinet minister Shivpal Yadav on board in New Delhi's IGI airport two years ago.
Sources said the state civil aviation department has invited bids to sell out the aircraft, Beechcraft Premier IA, which remains grounded since September 22, 2012 when PWD minister Shivpal Yadav had a close shave after the plane skidded off runway 27 at IGI airport while landing at a high speed. He, along with SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary, were on their way to Masuri in Ghaziabad where six persons were killed following a riot. The impact was so high the nose-wheel of the aircraft broke. The runway was closed and a probe was ordered by the DGCA.
Interestingly, the eight-seat aircraft, manufactured in 2008, was bought by former chief minister Mayawati. With over 730 flying hours, the aircraft was regularly in use during the previous BSP government. Sources, however, said the plane had been dismantled and put in the hangar after it met with an accident in 2012, soon after Akhilesh Yadav government stormed to power.
According to sources, the department has asked parties interested to inspect the aircraft, along with its spare parts, at the latest by November 5 when the tenders would be opened.
Along with the said aircraft, the state government has also decided to sell out two choppers—Chetak and Bell 230 helicopters. Chetak helicopter was assembled in 1994 by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). With over 3,000 flying hours, the chopper was in use during the previous Mayawati regime. It was only after 2009 that the helicopter got parked in the hangar.
The Bell helicopter on the other hand was last flown until June. The seven-seat chopper was, in fact, in use by the Akhilesh Yadav government until the Lok Sabha elections. Sources said the chopper is still in serviceable condition.
Selling of the aircraft and two choppers comes close on the heels of Akhilesh Yadav government decision to buy a brand new chopper and an aircraft. In July, the civil aviation department had floated a global tender for purchase of two flying machines to be used for VIP operations.
According to sources in the civil aviation department, both the chopper and the aircraft will have twin turbine engines for better safety. Costing around Rs 45 crore each, the two will be used for traveling by the Chief Minister, cabinet/state ministers and state officials.
- Source ► http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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