PM asked about mid-air scare of my copter: Dy CM Shinde

Kolhapur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked about the mid-air-scare deputy chief Eknath Shinde had to face after the latter's helicopter got caught in bad weather.This was revealed by Shinde while talking to the media at his native Dare Tam village in Satara district on Sunday.Shinde attended the swearing-in ceremony of new West Bengal CM Suvendhu Adhikari on Saturday where PM Modi was the chief guest.While talking to each of the dignitaries attending the ceremony on stage, the PM stopped in front of Shinde and had an interaction for a few seconds which caught the media attention.On May 7, while Shinde was visiting Murbad in Thane district from Mumbai, bad weather forced his helicopter pilot to return to Mumbai. The helicopter had taken off from the helipad at Mahalaxmi Race Course at around 3.30pm.The official statement issued from Shinde's office said the helicopter deviated from its scheduled route after the pilot noticed an approaching storm system near Airoli in Navi Mumbai."Shortly after reaching Airoli, the pilot noticed an approaching storm system. Sensing potential danger, the pilot immediately informed DCM Shinde and advised that the helicopter should turn back instead of proceeding further. He then promptly decided to reverse course. Within the next few minutes, the helicopter successfully landed at the Pawan Hans Helipad," an official said.The pilot landed the helicopter safely at the Pawan Hans helipad in Juhu. "PM Narendra Modi has love for me. He enquired about the matter when the helicopter had to land suddenly in Mumbai due to the bad weather," said Shinde.Work on Rs 175cr bridge 90% completeWork on the 540-metre-long bridge -- being built over the Shiv Sagar reservoir of Koyna Dam in Satara -- is around 90% complete, Shinde said on Sunday. This bridge connects Solshi and Kandati Valley in Mahabaleshwar tehsil and will cost Rs175 crore. "The work on this bridge is 90% complete. Due to this bridge, tourism will increase in this remote area and the youth from this area will get employment," Shinde said.