THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the criticism, the government has taken steps to hire a helicopter for the Kerala police. The financial tender for the helicopter lease will open on Tuesday. Three companies have acquired the technical qualifications to participate in the tender. Helicopter rental is for three years.

The financial bids of the companies that have qualified in the technical tender will be opened. The government took Pawan Hans' ten-seater helicopter on hire for Rs 1.44 crore a month during the financial crisis. The contract with Power Hans expired in April. With this, the government started moving for a new lease agreement. The government is planning to rent a six-passenger helicopter for the next three years instead of ten.

Police recommended to the state government to hire a helicopter, citing the fact that it will be beneficial for rescue operations after the 2018 floods.