Govt to acquire special aircraft for disaster management

The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The specially designed aircraft for DMS by National Remote Sensing Agency of Department of Space is being procured from Brazilian firm, Embraer, at an estimated cost of Rs 179.86 crore, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram told reporters.

"The availability of the dedicated aircraft would enhance the capability in the country for undertaking real-time as well as systematic scientific aerial survey operations in support of disaster management," he said.

The exclusive aircraft can fly at higher attitudes, avoiding air turbulence regions normally prevailing during inclement weather and at higher velocity not only to reach the affected areas well in time.