Sri Mohan Majhi, Chief Minister, Odisha Used Helicopters and Aircraft 119 Times in one year
Helicopter travel even to nearby places such as Cuttack, Puri and Jagatsinghpur; Keonjhar recorded the highest number of visits
Bhubaneswar, 13 September 2026:
According to information obtained by social activist Prakash Das under the Right to Information Act, it has come to light that Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi travelled to various places using helicopters and aircraft a total of 119 times between July 2024 and October 2025. Of these, helicopters were used 64 times, while aircraft were used 55 times. The information also reveals that helicopters and aircraft were booked for the Chief Minister’s two-day and three-day tours. Taking into account all the dates and the number of uses/bookings available in the records, the available information indicates that helicopters and aircraft were used 119 times by the Chief Minister.
These journeys included visits to various districts of Odisha as well as places outside the state. In particular, the records indicate that helicopters were used even for travel from Bhubaneswar to relatively nearby places such as Cuttack, Puri and Jagatsinghpur. This raises questions regarding the necessity of such travel arrangements and the justification of expenditure from public funds. According to the information, Keonjhar district recorded the highest number of helicopter visits.
Considering the responsibilities associated with the office of the Chief Minister, the use of helicopters and aircraft can certainly be justified for essential government programmes, urgent administrative work, disaster situations, or circumstances where saving time is necessary. However, it is important that the government clearly disclose whether the use of government aircraft or helicopters was necessary for each journey and how much expenditure was incurred from the state exchequer for such travel.
On the other hand, the government has repeatedly called for avoiding unnecessary expenditure, ensuring prudent use of public funds, and reducing avoidable expenditure. In such a situation, it is extremely important to maintain transparency regarding every expenditure incurred on the Chief Minister’s official journeys by helicopter and aircraft and the necessity for such use.
Government money is public money. Therefore, the public has the right to know for what purpose and how much of their money is being spent. Our question regarding the use of helicopters and aircraft is not intended to oppose the travel of any individual; rather, it is aimed at ensuring the proper, reasonable and accountable use of public funds.
Social activist Prakash Das has requested Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi to:
1. Use helicopters/aircraft for necessary and essential government duties, but ensure that unnecessary use does not impose an additional burden on the state exchequer.
2. Make public the complete details of the total government expenditure incurred on the 119 journeys between July 2024 and October 2025.
3. Place before the public the administrative and financial justification for travelling by helicopter to nearby destinations.
We welcome the Chief Minister meeting people, listening to their problems and working towards resolving them. However, restraint and accountability in the use of government funds meant for public service are equally necessary.
The government should clearly explain the necessity and justification of helicopter travel even to nearby destinations such as Bhubaneswar to Cuttack, particularly in terms of the requirement and expenditure involved.
-Prakash Das
Social Activist
Mob.: 9937008937
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