GANDHINAGAR, MAY 23: The 9-seater aircraft purchased by the Gujarat Government from a USA-based company has landed at Mumbai's Juhu Airport, but the reported red-tapism on the part of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) authorities has not only delayed the aircraft's arrival in Gujarat, but has also compelled the Government to cough up about Rs 1 lakh a day as rent to the airport authorities.Although the aircraft costing Rs 19.50 crore had been delivered by the USA firm Raytheon Aircraft Company and landed at the Juhu Airport on May 12, the authorities concerned are yet to complete necessary formalities for its use by the Gujarat Government."Certain formalities like customs clearance have been completed. But, we can't bring the aircraft to Gujarat from Mumbai, until the DGCA authorities issue a Certificate of Worthiness so as to enable the government to use it in the State," a senior official in the Sachivalaya told The Indian Express here on Monday. The official said, "The government has already written to the DGCA office, requesting it to issue a Certificate of Worthiness, but the latter is yet to respond to the letter, forcing us to pay Rs 1 lakh daily as the parking rent to the airport authorities."He said it would take at least one more week to complete the formalities that also include the Indian registration and the American de-registration of the aircraft.A three-member official team led by Captain R N Dogra, the Civil Aviation Adviser to the Gujarat Government, had left for the USA on April 30 last to finalise the aircraft deal. The Government's decision to dispatch the team to the USA, had raised many an eyebrow in the corridors of power, especially when the State is in the grip of severe drought. During their week-long stay in the USA, the team members had a `test-ride' of the Beech Craft model. "The twin-engined aircraft has impressed us all, the test-ride was an amazing experience. The plane can fly at the height of over 6,500 feet, as against the 2,000 feet height our present 12-year-old helicopter is flying," Meena Bhatt, the joint secretary in the State Industries and Civil Aviation Department said.Besides a facility of holding a conference among four persons onboard the aircraft, it provides cosy push chairs and a small pantry for VVIPs to have snacks, cold drinks and tea The plane can land even at places having no airstrips. An Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) has been installed in the aircraft for emergency landing.The government has purchased the Super King Air B 200 aircraft through a Mumbai-based authorised dealer M Indamer who will be paid Rs 2.40 lakh per month for providing a pilot and a co-pilot to fly the 9-seater. There are about 42 aircraft of this model purchased by the governments of different States in India, besides the RAW, BSF, the Union Home Ministry and Railway Ministry.
