SOLUKHUMBU: The local people here are very concerned after zinc sheets fell off from a flying helicopter.
Locals are in fear and rage after two rolls of matrics including about six kilos of corrugated zinc sheets dropped from a chopper belonging to Kailash Air over the Lungding forest at Solududhkunda Municipality-1 last week.
Kumar Bishwokarma, a local of Taksindu, expressed his anger over the incident, saying,” The bodies concerned have not paid attention to the security although things are found dropping from flying helicopter from time to time.”
Another local, Tendi Sherpa said that they have frequently urged the side concerned for the safe transport of goods by helicopter but their suggestions have so far fallen in deaf ears.
He said that the regulatory body should take the responsibility in case of loss of life or property due to this sheer negligence.
Construction materials and other items of daily need are being transported by helicopter from Tansindu hill to Khumbu region. According to locals, the construction materials including timber are airlifted to Khumbu hanging from choppers, which increases the risk.
The Nepal Civil Aviation Act, 2073 states that no passenger, goods, postal matter, among other things should not be entered in the prohibited zone at the airport or transported by aircraft without the authorized airport employees or security personnel conducting a security check.
Solududhkunda Municipality mayor Namgel Jangbu Sherpa said the matter of aircraft flight and landing was not under their jurisdiction.
Khumbu Pasanglhamu rural municipality spokesperson Lakpa Chhiri Sherpa said they have no other alternative to transporting the construction materials by helicopters as their rural municipality lacks road access.
He said the related helicopter operating company should pay attention to the safety aspect while ferrying the goods.
A three-member investigation team has been formed with pilot Gunjaman Lama as the coordinator to look into the ‘zinc sheet fall’ case.
The team carried out on site inspection at Taksindu on Sunday, Imanath Adhikari, the chief of Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) Lukla, said.
Chief of the Solukhumbu Police, Deputy Superintendent Iwa Limbu said that their security committee has also discussed the incident and would take appropriate decision in that connection.
He said the transportation of construction materials this way by helicopters has been stopped for the time being. Attempts to contact Manager of Kailsh Air, Pratap Jung Kunwar, on this matter could not materialize as he could no
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