The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) administers a vital Helicopter Subsidy Scheme in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India. This scheme is designed to provide crucial connectivity to remote and inaccessible areas of states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Mizoram, and Manipur. Beyond connectivity, the scheme also facilitates affordable passenger transport, emergency evacuation during natural disasters, and urgent medical evacuations.
Scheme Objectives
The primary objectives of the Helicopter Services Scheme are:
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To provide connectivity to remote and inaccessible areas in the NER.
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To offer affordable passenger transport in the region.
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To facilitate evacuation during natural calamities.
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To enable urgent medical evacuations.
Financial and Operational Framework
The MHA bears 75% of the total operational cost after deducting passenger revenue or a flat 20% of the actual operational cost, whichever is higher. To manage subsidy costs, an annual ceiling on flying hours has been established for each state.
Flying Hour Allocation
The annual flying hours sanctioned for each state are as follows:
| NE State | Type of Helicopter | No. of flying hours sanctioned per annum |
| Tripura | Dauphin | 480 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | MI-172 (1st) | 960 |
| MI-172 (2nd) | 1200 | |
| Bell 412 | 1300 | |
| Sikkim | Bell-407 | 1200 |
| Meghalaya | Dauphin | 1000 |
| Nagaland | Bell 412 (1st) | 1200 |
| Bell 412 (2nd) | ||
| Mizoram | Dauphin | 1200 |
| Manipur | Bell 412 | 750 |
These allocations ensure that each state has a defined level of service based on its unique needs and geographical challenges.
Financial Expenditure
The year-wise expenditure and funds released for helicopter services in the North Eastern States since the financial year 2015-16 are as follows (in Rs. crore):
| Years | Expenditure/ Fund released |
| 2015-16 | 76.45 |
| 2016-17 | 86.00 |
| 2017-18 | 86.00 |
| 2018-19 | 90.00 |
| 2019-20 | 100.00 |
| 2020-21 | 72.50 |
| 2021-22 | 100.00 |
| 2022-23 | 100.00 |
| 2023-24 | 76.70 |
| (upto 31.12.2023) |
This data highlights the consistent financial support provided by the government to maintain these essential services.
Conclusion
The Helicopter Services Scheme in the North Eastern States is a critical lifeline for communities in this geographically challenging region. It not only provides essential transport links but also plays a vital role in emergency response and medical care. By ensuring connectivity and accessibility, the scheme supports the socio-economic development and well-being of the region’s population.