CAG Criticises Maharashtra Government Over Grounded Rs 82.78 Crore Helicopter

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has criticised the Maharashtra government for failing to appoint a maintenance agency in a timely manner, which left an Rs 82.78 crore helicopter grounded for nearly 17 months. The details of the lapse were revealed in the Compliance Audit Report for 2024, which was tabled in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in Mumbai on July 10, 2026.

The grounded helicopter had been procured by the state government specifically for anti-Naxalite operations. However, due to the failure to secure a maintenance contract, the vital aircraft remained unusable for over a year, impacting its intended security operations.

According to the audit report, the delay in finding a maintenance provider resulted in an avoidable expenditure of Rs 2.07 crore for the state. The CAG flagged this as a significant financial and operational lapse on the part of the state administration.

The audit report placed the responsibility on the state's Directorate of Aviation. It revealed that the directorate took almost 10 months after the physical delivery of the helicopter to appoint a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) agency.

This 10-month delay in appointing the MRO agency had a cascading effect. Without an agency in place, the helicopter could not undergo the mandatory maintenance procedures that are strictly required to keep the aircraft airworthy. As a result, the helicopter remained grounded and non-operational for a total of 17 months.