Nuapada, November 9:While polling parties have almost packedup for their polling booths, ahead of the Nuapada byelection scheduled on November 11, the Indian Air Force has readied emergency helicopters for it.

At least 3 IAF helicopters have been queued up for the poll-bound Nuapada for emergency services especially for ferrying polling parties to Mao-prone booths.

According to reports, contingents of the IAF have successfully conducted trial landing of the aircrafts in the wee hours on Saturday in utter darkness at the semi-finished Gotma Airstrip in Nuapada. Meanwhile, the district administration with help of Works Department engineers, has installed NGV (Night Goggles Vision)-compatible infrared (IR) lights temporarily for safe operation & landing of aircrafts in the hilly terrain, even in sheer darkness and inclement weather conditions.

Underlining the special arrangements made for free & fair bypoll in the Maoist-affected areas, District Election Officer & Collector Nuapada, Madhusudan Das said the IAF’s aid with the essential helicopter services would greatly aid the movement of polling teams in sensitive zones during the Nuapada bypoll.