Bhubaneswar: The state government plans to approach the 15th Finance Commission, seeking Rs 300 crore for the construction of permanent helipads and heliports in all its districts.

The helipads are required to provide relief during natural calamities and also help in the movement of VIPs.

The government proposal that will be presented to the commission in this regard says: "Most of the districts of Odisha don't have permanent helipads or heliports for landing of helicopters carrying VIPs or other dignitaries and national delegates. Besides, at the time of emergencies such as natural calamities, law and order situation, helicopter movement is essential for rescue and relief operations. Thus, construction of permanent helipads and heliports in each district headquarters of the state is considered essential in public interest."

A general administration department official said: "The money will be spent for construction of permanent helipads/heliports with facilities for accommodating three to four helicopters at a time with a terminal building, apron area, boundary wall, approach roads, electricity and water."

He said: "The cost of building a helipad or heliports is at least Rs 10 crore. Consequently, for 30 districts, we will require around Rs 300 crore."

Each terminal will be able to accommodate three to four helicopters. "Besides, the department-related standing committee in its report for 2017-18 has also recommended setting up of a permanent helipad in each district headquarters to facilitate landing of helicopters in all seasons, including at the time of natural calamities," he said.

Joint special relief commissioner Pravat Mohapatra said: "Once the helipads come up, they would expedite rescue-and-relief operations during flood and other natural calamities. It would substantially reduce response time."

Citing his experience during relief operations, he said: "Distributing food packets through choppers within an area of say 100km is easy and comparative cheap. There will be less consumption of fuel and choppers will be able to carry more food packets."

He said: "In 2007, as we had started helicopter operations from Chandipur in Balasore, we were able reach people affected by the Subarnarekha floods within a short time. It would not have been possible from Bhubaneswar. Reaching people in Kendrapara district from Bhubaneswar during floods is a tough challenge."

On the issue of VIP movement, an official said: "Now, we have proper airstrips only at Jharsuguda, Rourkela and Jeypore. In other areas, we don't have good airstrips, which makes it difficult for big planes carrying VIPs to land."

The official said proper airstrips in the tribal-dominated districts would help in the movement of forces to tackle the Maoists menace. "We need such airstrips in districts such as Malkangiri and Kandhamal. It will make the movement of forces easy."