Congress appears to have virtually forced austerity measures on its rank and file, so much so that party chief Sonia Gandhi has decided to travel economy class in a commercial plane instead of a privileged chopper to Mumbai on Monday. The story, however, flies just in the opposite direction in Gujarat.
Here, plans are now afoot to construct a helipad near the CM’s house — after Congress had kicked up a storm in the last assembly session with chief minister Narendra Modi’s average monthly air travel expenses running over Rs one lakh! The CM travels by helicopter three to four days in a week.
Sources said the new exclusive helipad will come up right next to the chief minister’s bungalow in the residential complex in Gandhinagar.
Highly-placed sources in the state government said that the helipad has been planned looking at the security aspects and other conveniences. At present, the helipad is situated near the Town hall in sector 17, which is about 1.5 km away from the ministerial complex.
If the plans work out right, Modi will be able to fly without having to step outside the complex. The proposal was suggested by the CM’s security unit of state police some time ago, but is still awaiting a go-ahead, since the final decision on the matter has been pending. “We have no specific instructions regarding the matter, yet,” the sources added.
Though the state roads & buildings department, responsible for all constructional works, is resolutely keeping a lid on the matter, a huge pit, opposite the CM’s bungalow, is slowly getting filled up with sand from a new lake that is being dug nearby, and all signs point to the smooth landing of a helipad soon.
