Guwahati, Oct. 27: The DoNER ministry is mooting a commercial helicopter service in the Northeast in order to improve intra-regional connectivity.

DoNER minister Jitendra Singh, while addressing a meeting of senior ministry officials in New Delhi today, said an inter-regional helicopter service was necessary as inadequate connectivity was the biggest hurdle in attracting investments, tourism and entrepreneurship to the region.

"Though the rail network expansion has been put on the fast track in the last year or so, most parts are still unconnected by rail. The first-ever rail link to Meghalaya was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi within six months of being sworn-in. Road connectivity is adversely affected owing to inclement weather," he said. In such a situation, improvement in air connectivity is the only immediate viable option, he added.

Singh said his ministry would take up with the civil aviation ministry the prospect of developing LGBI Airport near Guwahati as regional hub. "The helicopters can be grounded there overnight and can be put to use for commercial sorties for civilian passengers at frequent intervals to different destinations in all the eight northeastern states," he said.

The minister said this would give the civilians the freedom to plan their movement according to their requirement and priority.

"Discussions can be held with different helicopter companies like Pawan Hans and issues related to equity can be worked out to the mutual advantage of all. Guwahati airport is connected by regular flights to a number of destinations including Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur and Bangalore, and therefore, when regular commercial helicopter service gets initiated, passengers from any part of the country or abroad who land at the airport from a civil aircraft will have the option to take a connecting helicopter to another destination in the region," Singh said.