New Delhi, Dec.24: In view of the high terror threats, a new set of security guidelines would be issued in the next few days for helicopter operators to report mandatorily to the local police before making landings at any unscheduled place.

Under the proposed guidelines, if a helicopter is scheduled to land at an unscheduled place, the local police authorities there would have been informed in advance about the flight plan as well as the identity of persons it would be carrying, official sources said.

 

The move, which may not find favour with politicians or corporates, is aimed at ensuring that no unauthorized person travels on the helicopters and their destinations are also known, the sources said, pointing towards the possibility of terror threats from the sky.

 

The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) is likely to issue standard operating procedures or detailed instructions in this regard in the next few days.

 

While the state-owned Pawan hans helicopters limited and some other large firms have their own full security manuals, many of the small private firms or corporate houses or high-end individuals, owning choppers, do not have such guidelines. The DGCA has also sought security from either state police forces or central paramilitary forces at helipads and make-shift helipads which come into vogue mostly during elections.