THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The new helicopter rented for a whopping Rs 80 lakh per month will touch the capital city within 15 days. The copter service is taken from Chipsan Aviation Delhi and will be used mostly for the itinerary of the chief minister. With high criticism hailed towards the ruling government indulging in unsolicited luxury, the government in a bid to alleviate has reasoned the move as a need for travel option for the governor and for air surveillance.

The only pending procedure is for the government to sign a bid bond worth Rs 50 lakh. The six-seater VIP copter is French-built, fixed with a double-engine capability. The fuel, maintenance work, staff payments, and parking fees add up to the monthly cost of Rs 80 lakhs. Two pilots and engineering staff comprises a total of eight staff who will be present every time with the copter. For maintenance work, the hanger unit is opened in Chalakudy.

For 20 hours of air travel, Chipsan aviation is negotiating a price of Rs 80 lakhs. For any additional hours traveled, the fee may extend to Rs 90000 per hour. The contract is signed for three years. The copter will also work on monitoring Maoist terrains, emergency organ transfers, rescuing acts, etc

Earlier, the government took a copter for rent at Rs 1.71 crore per month. The move hit rock bottom as the copter couldn’t run service at night, and the Maoist couldn't be traced but only the greenery of the forest caught the eye of the officers. According to police, the Maoist runs to escape when hearing the roaring clutter of a noise that the copter makes.