Kendrapada: A helicopter used by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, grounded for over a month at Kendrapada Autonomous College due to technical issues, was transported to Mumbai for repair on a trailer truck on Wednesday.
According to reports, a team of aviation engineers dismantled the helicopter’s blades and used a JCB machine to load it onto the truck for the 800-km road journey, which will take around 10 days. “This helicopter was manufactured by the German-based Airbus company. Keeping in mind the safety of helicopters and pilots, we decided to shift it by road. After reaching Mumbai, the helicopter will be repaired,” operation manager of Mumbai-based Heligo Charters Private Ltd Kartik Chandra Dutta told media.
Two vehicles are escorting the helicopter for safety, he added.
The company is a service provider in India that utilises Airbus helicopters.
The helicopter was damaged in a lightning strike during the chief minister’s visit to Kendrapada on June 9, forcing him to return by road after landing safely. Despite efforts by three engineers over a week, the helicopter remained grounded.
The district administration swung into action after various media reports highlighted the delay in shifting the helicopter from the lone ground of the college, which could have impacted upcoming Independence Day celebrations on August 15.