Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Sept 2: The Karnataka government has decided to hire a helicopter on a contractual basis to facilitate official travel for ministers and VVIPs, deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar announced on Monday.
The move, aimed at improving comfort, speed, and security for top officials, has sparked a fresh round of debate over costs and public priorities.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, “This proposal has been pending with the government for several years. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked me to take a decision regarding the tender process. I have directed officials to study how this is being implemented in other states.”
At present, the government rents helicopters and aircraft at approximately Rs 1 lac per hour for ministerial tours across Karnataka. For trips to Delhi, commercial flights are generally preferred. However, with increasing frequency of travel and the need for quick access to remote regions, the state is now considering long-term contractual hiring instead of hourly rentals.
According to sources, the move could result in better logistical planning and potentially lower costs over time. “We are moving towards inviting tenders to hire a chopper on a fixed-term contract instead of paying per hour,” a senior official said.
Experts weigh in on hire vs purchase
Aviation experts have suggested that, given the increasing demand, Karnataka might be better off purchasing its own helicopter or jet, as done by several other states. For example, Gujarat bought a Bombardier Challenger 650 jet for Rs 190 crore six years ago. Haryana recently purchased an aircraft for Rs 80 crore, and Uttar Pradesh owns a Super King Air B 250 aircraft along with multiple helicopters.
Experts estimate that a new helicopter would cost the state around Rs 80 crore, while a private jet could cost upwards of Rs 150 crore. However, the decision to rent or purchase hinges not only on cost but also on usage and maintenance.
Veteran pilot Capt Arvind Sharma observed, “If a chopper is not flown for at least 25 hours a month, it makes no sense to buy one. Hiring becomes less burdensome in that case. The real challenge is maintenance. Karnataka previously owned a Dauphin helicopter, but it was underused and eventually damaged while parked at HAL airport.”
He added, “Owning a jet doesn’t make sense when there are more than 20 flights to Delhi every day. But if the focus is on accessing rural or disaster-hit areas swiftly, then a dedicated aircraft does help.”
Focus on safety and transparency
Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh clarified that the Monday meeting was not about purchasing an aircraft. “We only discussed hiring a helicopter under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act,” she stated.
Another senior official said the focus was also on VVIP safety and protocol compliance. “India has lost several leaders in air crashes. This meeting discussed ways to ensure the security of our top officials while maintaining full transparency in the hiring process,” the officer added.
Past experience haunts decision
Over a decade ago, Karnataka purchased a sleek Eurocopter Dauphin N3. However, the helicopter was rarely used, largely due to logistical and maintenance issues, and was eventually sold off without much fanfare.
This past experience is partly why the government is treading cautiously and exploring a contract hire model first.
Opposition questions priorities
The decision has, unsurprisingly, drawn criticism from the Opposition. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, questioned the government’s priorities: “In a state where people are still struggling for basic amenities, is it really appropriate to prioritise luxury travel for politicians?”
Supporters of the move, however, argue that it is more about efficiency than extravagance. With Karnataka's diverse and often challenging geography, a dedicated helicopter could be essential in responding swiftly to natural disasters like floods or droughts, particularly in inaccessible districts.
For now, the state government appears to be leaning towards contract hiring, while remaining open to expert recommendations and public sentiment. Whether it leads to actual procurement or remains a cost-saving logistical choice will depend on future reviews—and political winds.