Claims top bureaucrat, who often flies UP Chief Minister Mayawati. The state has two choppers and three planes in its fleet
Claims top bureaucrat, who often flies UP Chief Minister Mayawati. The state has two choppers and three planes in its fleetThe man, who often flies Chief Minister Mayawati, and is a top bureaucrat in Uttar Pradesh says the state has the best fleet of choppers and the most experienced pilots in the country.
Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh (59), a pilot himself, said this following a close review of the state civil aviation department's preparedness to deal with emergencies like the one encountered by Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who was killed in a Bell helicopter crash last week.
"I can proudly proclaim that Uttar Pradesh has the best fleet of aircraft as compared to any other state in the country," said Singh.
The Uttar Pradesh government has two helicopters and three planes, and has 10 pilots.
"I can vouch for any of our 10 pilots to fly in the most adverse situations; and our pilots have sufficient experience that enables them to manoeuvre their aircraft under heavy rain and thick cloud conditions," said Singh.
Saved by the BellUP too has helicopters manufactured by Bell. But the state has been particular in ensuring timely replacement of the old machines, claims Singh.
"We go strictly by the book and whenever the slightest doubts were raised about airworthiness of an aircraft, we have preferred to go for its replacement," added Singh.
