Imphal, Oct 23: The Manipur Cabinet on Thursday decided to resume helicopter service in the remote areas of the State, officials said.
The Cabinet meeting which was chaired by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, approved engaging the Government-owned Pawan Hans Limited to restore helicopter services in Manipur that have remained suspended since October 1, 2026.
One twin-engine helicopter will be deployed for six months, or until a regular operator is selected through tender, with a minimum of 40 flying hours a month.
The service will again connect remote and hill areas with Imphal, helping passengers and medical emergencies. Costs will be shared with the Ministry of Home Affairs under its North East helicopter scheme. If Central support is not available, the State will bear the expenditure.
The Cabinet meeting which was attended by Home Minister Govindas Konthioujam and Tourism Minister Kh Loken, and Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur also gave its nod to declare the Loktak Day as a State festival.
This year’s celebration starting on October 26, will be held at the Loktak Lairembi Ground, Thanga, and at Komlakhong. The day will be observed by the Loktak Development Authority along with local clubs.
The Cabinet also approved addition of registered and licensed newspaper printing presses equipped with a web offset machine, to the list of “public purposes” under the Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014. Such presses may now seek permission to use up to 0.62 acre of contiguous paddy land, subject to all other safeguards of the Act.