Technical snag in helicopter compels Piyush Goyal to shelve aerial survey in Andhra

Tirupati: A technical malfunction in the helicopter carrying Union Minister Piyush Goyal forced him to cancel his scheduled visit to Krishnapatnam Port on Monday, prompting state authorities to launch a comprehensive safety review of the aircraft. The incident comes in the backdrop of recent mishaps involving flights and helicopters.

Goyal, who was on an official tour of Andhra Pradesh, had traveled from Amaravati to Tirupati in the helicopter and was scheduled to continue to Krishnapatnam Port. However, the technical fault was discovered after he boarded the aircraft in Tirupati, leading to the cancellation of his port visit.

The incident has heightened concerns about the Bell 412 helicopter, which is regularly used for Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's district tours. The aircraft has experienced recurring technical problems, raising questions about its reliability for VIP transport.

Responding to the safety concerns, DGP Harish Kumar Gupta has ordered the Intelligence Chief to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a comprehensive report on the helicopter's technical and security issues.

The DGP's directive comes amid growing concerns about the safety and reliability of aircraft used to transport high-ranking officials across the state. The review will examine the helicopter's operational status and evaluate existing safety protocols to ensure the security of VIP passengers during official travels.