MI-172 helicopter trial landing at Namchi and Yuksom helipads

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 08:45 [IST]

Last Update: Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024 03:10 [IST]

MI-172 helicopter trial landing at Namchi and Yuksom helipads

NAMO DIXIT

NAMCHI,: To enhance connectivity and emergency response capabilities in Sikkim, a successful consecutive trial landing of MI-172 helicopter was carried out on Tuesday at Namchi’s Assangthang helipad and Yuksom helipad in West Sikkim.

The trial landings were conducted under the leadership of Rajendra Chettri, principal director and CEO of Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC), in collaboration with Namchi district administration and STDC’s Namchi and Gyalsing branches. The exercise was a part of an initiative to boost air connectivity, especially for emergency evacuation, medical relief and other urgent services across South and West Sikkim.

STDC AGM (Helicopter Wing) Tejpal Pradhan, AGM termed today's events as a “visible sign of good and productive governance.”

The historical achievement was led by Team Skyone Helicopter Airways, with Captain TK Singh at the helm of the MI-172 helicopter, accompanied by his experienced crew. Their successful trial landing at both helipads within the same day is being hailed as a remarkable feat.

Tejpal Pradhan, who was present during the trial landing, extended his gratitude to district collectors Anupa Tamling and Yeshey D. Yongda for their support, and shared that STDC has more plans of destination connectivity.

Sikkim at a Glance

  • Area: 7096 Sq Kms
  • Capital: Gangtok
  • Altitude: 5,840 ft
  • Population: 6.10 Lakhs
  • Topography: Hilly terrain elevation from 600 to over 28,509 ft above sea level
  • Climate:
  • Summer: Min- 13°C - Max 21°C
  • Winter: Min- 0.48°C - Max 13°C
  • Rainfall: 325 cms per annum
  • Language Spoken: Nepali, Bhutia, Lepcha, Tibetan, English, Hindi