Urges to start international flights connecting Singapore and Dubai
Team News Riveting
Raipur, November 20
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday and discussed the state’s requirement in the civil aviation sector.
The discussion mainly focussed on strengthening the air connectivity of the state and development of regional airports. Sai has urged to start international flights and cargo from the state.
“Met the Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and presented before him the state’s requirement related to civil aviation,” Sai said. The demands include upgrading Raipur airport to operate international flights and cargo, Sai said.
The Ambikapur airport was recently inaugurated by the Prime Minister and they had urged the Union Civil Aviation Minister to start flights, Sai said, adding that equipping the night landing facility at Bilaspur airport was also among the other demands. “The Union Aviation Minister gave a patient hearing and has assured special attention will be paid to Chhattisgarh,” Sai added.
A state government spokesperson said the Union Minister had agreed to start international air service from Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur soon. Along with this, the process of developing a cargo hub at Raipur Airport will also be started soon and consent has been received to start air service from Raipur Airport to Patna and Ranchi as well.
The international air service in Chhattisgarh will boost the economic development of the state and increase connectivity at the global level. Keeping in mind the international passenger traffic in Chhattisgarh, the Chief Minister discussed the need for direct flights from Raipur to Singapore and Dubai. He informed that the passenger traffic on these routes is very good, due to which these services will prove to be commercially beneficial. The Union Aviation Minister has agreed to the proposal to start international air service from Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur soon, the spokesperson said.
Informing that there is no major cargo facility center in the state at present, Sai proposed to develop Raipur airport into a central cargo hub. He said that this will promote the transportation of agricultural and horticultural products. The Union Minister has assured of early action on this proposal.
In the meeting, a proposal was also made to upgrade Bilaspur Airport to 3C IFR category. For this, the Chief Minister has requested to complete the installation process of Radio Navigation System DVOR as soon as possible. The Union Minister directed the officials to start it immediately in view of the difficulties being faced in night landing of aircraft at Bilaspur Airport.
The Chief Minister also demanded the introduction of new flights to connect Ambikapur Airport with major cities like Raipur, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya. The Chief Minister said that in view of the cultural and mineral wealth of the region, people will benefit greatly from starting a new flight service, on which the Union Minister has assured positive initiative.
In the meeting, the Chief Minister has also demanded restoration of financial assistance for RCS flights at Jagdalpur and Bilaspur airports. He said that increasing connectivity on these routes will help in regional development. Mr. Sai said that the flight service operated by Indigo Airlines between Jagdalpur and Raipur was stopped due to less passengers. Urging to start it again at the right time, he said that in view of the immense tourism potential in Bastar, there is a huge demand for air connectivity on this route.
During this, Chief Minister’s Secretary Rahul Bhagat and Chhattisgarh’s Investment Commissioner posted in New Delhi, Mrs. Ritu Sain were also present.
