Kerala Police Recommends Extending Government's Helicopter Rental Contract

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police have recommended extending the state's helicopter rental contract, which is set to expire tomorrow. State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar has written to the Home Secretary seeking an extension of the existing agreement.

The helicopter was hired for a period of three years.

According to the police assessment, moving to a fresh tender process or hiring another helicopter could significantly increase the monthly rental cost from the existing Rs 80 lakh. The DGP has therefore stated in his letter that extending the current contract would be more financially viable.

The matter is currently under consideration by the Finance Department. However, the government has not yet given a clear response on whether the contract will be extended.

During the previous LDF government's tenure, V D Satheesan had criticised the decision to hire a helicopter, describing it as wasteful expenditure and alleging that public money was being spent for the Chief Minister's requirements.

The helicopter had been used several times during the previous government's tenure, including for emergency medical purposes such as organ-transplantation-related travel. However, after the UDF came to power, Chief Minister V D Satheesan has been using the helicopter frequently for personal travel.

Soon after assuming office, Satheesan reportedly began travelling by helicopter on several occasions. The Chief Minister initially used the helicopter to visit his father-in-law and later continued using it regularly.