A bunch of policemen and government officials had to be rushed to the Chhindwara airstrip on Monday to push chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s aircraft on the tarmac because the facility had no towing vehicle.
The CM’s aircraft had to be moved to give way to the incoming aircraft of Congress leader Kamal Nath.
"It is a normal practice to push a plane for taking it to a parking bay and pilot requested it to do so to save fuel," inspector general of Jabalpur, D Sriniwas Rao, said.
"As per the schedule, Nath's plane was supposed to land earlier but he got late and in the meantime, Chouhan's flight landed at the airstrip around 12.30 PM.
"After half-an-hour, Nath's plane also arrived and to make way for it to land, policemen and other staff pushed it for about 15-20 feet towards the helipad which is being used as a temporary parking bay in case two planes arrive at the airstrip," the IG told PTI.
He denied reports that there was any emergency situation or Chouhan's plane was on the runway when Nath's plane was scheduled to land at the airstrip. The airstrip is controlled by Nagpur ATC, which controls movement of flights from the city.
{{/usCountry}}He denied reports that there was any emergency situation or Chouhan's plane was on the runway when Nath's plane was scheduled to land at the airstrip. The airstrip is controlled by Nagpur ATC, which controls movement of flights from the city.
{{/usCountry}}Chouhan came to the town to take part in a road show and a felicitation programme.
Nath, the local Parliamentarian, was visiting Chhindwara to take part in a religious function. He also addressed party workers in Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan.