February 3, 2014
WB Govt to launch amphibian aircraft service soon
In another bid to modernise the transport system of the state, the West Bengal Government will now permit the usage of 2-seater amphibian aircrafts to ferry passengers. These US-2 amphibian Japanese aircrafts will also be manufactured in the country in the days to come. The state government has already written to the central government seeking permission to start such services in the state.
The West Bengal Government has already set up chopper services in the state connecting the state capital to Gangasagar, Durgapur, Shantiniketan and Malda and Balurghat. This initiative was taken for quick transport to various parts of Bengal at a subsidised rate. The recently concluded Gangasagar Fair saw the first ir ambulance service in the state, which came handy in saving the life of a 7 year old girl who had a serious fracture and needed to be operated immediately.
The US-2 is a military aircraft, but it can be retrofitted for civilian use. The US-2 which was developed by ShinMaywa Industries has a range of 4,700 km and can land in seas with waves of up to three m. It is a versatile aircraft for search and rescue operations as well, partly owing to its short take-off ability.
