100 helipads to boost Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s poll campaign

Bhopal: Keeping in view the forthcoming Assembly election in Madhya Pradesh, permanent structures for helipads are proposed to be constructed in at least 100 blocks of the state. The move assumes significance considering chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is set to launch his “rural outreach” programme in January next year. The state goes to polls in November 2018.

Sources in chief minister’s office said Mr Chouhan planned to tour extensively in rural areas from January, 2018 till the model code of code come into force.

“At least 100 permanent helipads are needed to be established to facilitate the proposed pre-poll campaign blitzkrieg slated to begin in January next year. It is estimated to cost nearly Rs 10 crore to build permanent structures of helipad in these places. The state finance committee has approved the plan,” a senior state government officer said.

The helipads would facilitate coverage of maximum number of villages in the proposed pre-poll campaign, he added. The CM would take stock of ground level situation at the village level ahead of the Assembly polls which would help the ruling BJP identify its vulnerable areas and take corrective steps to overcome them, sources added.

“Construction of a temporary helipad hardly costs around Rs 10,000 whereas a permanent helipad is built at a cost of Rs 10 lakh. But It needs 6-7 hours to build a temporary helipad. Hence, it has been decided to start construction of permanent structures of helipads in 100 blocks to ensure that the chief minister covered maximum number of villages in the state by the time model code of conduct came into force for the coming assembly elections,” sources added.