Helicopter develops snag, Sonia travels by road in AP

The helicopter in which Congress president Sonia Gandhi arrived for a rally in Chevella developed a snag this afternoon, forcing her to travel by road later. 

Sonia Gandhi arrived in the helicopter here in Ranga Reddy district of Telangana and addressed a public rally. She was slated to fly later to Andhole in neighbouring Medak district for another rally, but the chopper was found to have some technical problem due to which she travelled by road, Ranga Reddy Superintendent of Police, B Rajkumari said. 

Venkaih Naidu bats for single-window clearance system for choppers

Senior BJP leader M Venkaih Naidu, who faced hitches in obtaining permission for his helicopter tour as part of poll campaign, today sought single-window system for giving necessary clearances to the choppers.

Recounting the difficulties he experienced in getting the required permissions from the authorities for his one-day tour in West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh yesterday, Naidu said, "The helicopter I was flying in was not allowed to travel from Tanuku to Tadepalligudem and from there to Narsapur and Kaikalur in Krishna district."

Though the local leaders approached the officials, they did not respond quickly, Naidu told reporters here.

"At some places the officials concerned were not at all present, though they have to be on duty for the entire day as per the instructions from officials," the former BJP chief said.

"Even though I contacted the Andhra Pradesh Governor and Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampat, the local officials did not act properly to give clearance for the chopper," he said.

At present, one has to take permission from the Roads and Buildings department, police department and fire brigade and then only has to apply for the landing of helicopter to the District Collectors, he said adding, "This process gives problems for the leaders who have to travel by choppers on a short notice."

"There should be a single window system to give clearance to the helicopters in which national political leaders fly, especially during the elections," Naidu said. 

The BJP leader requested the Election Commission to liberalise the permission process.