Team News Riveting
Ambikapur, October 20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday virtually inaugurated the Maa Mahamaya airport at Ambikapur in Surguja to facilitate air connectivity in Chhattisgarh’s northern region.
Maa Mahamaya Airport located in Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh was inaugurated by the Prime Minister from Varanasi Sunday evening. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai besides central and state government ministers were present on the occasion.
The airport is an important part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s regional connectivity scheme, which aims to connect small towns and remote areas by air. It has brought new hope to the people of northern part of Chhattisgarh. According to officials, 19 and 72 seaters aircraft services will be launched from here, which will promote business and tourism along with the convenience of passengers.
Upgradation of air strip at Maa Mahamaya Airport located at Darima, Ambikapur has been done under Regional Connectivity Scheme of Government of India. This airport is spread over 365 acres. It has been developed at a cost of Rs 80 crore. The airport is of CVFR category 3. It can land 72-seater aircraft. The terminal building has been expanded to accommodate an estimated capacity of 5 lakh passengers annually.
Addressing the people present at the inaugural function, Governor Ramen Deka said that today was a historic day for Surguja region, the opening of Maa Mahamaya Airport would open new dimensions of development in this region. A better air connectivity will be established for the citizens and industrialists of Surguja region through the airport. After Bastar, Surguja is the second largest tribal population area of the state where this facility is being started. He further said that this flight will take Chhattisgarh to new heights of development. Sarguja will decide a new flight of development not only for the state but also for the entire country.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, “Maa Mahamaya Airport is not just a new airport, but an attempt to connect the remote areas of our state with the mainstream of development.” He further said that this airport will strengthen the local economy and open new avenues for the development of the region. For the people of Surguja, this airport is not only a new means of travel, but a new chapter in the economic and social development of the state. The inauguration of Darima Airport is a sign of taking the progress of Chhattisgarh to new heights.
Sai said: “Our successful Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ushering in a new era of development in the tribal-dominated Surguja region by inaugurating the Maa Mahamaya Airport at Ambikapur today. He said that the airport is connected to the dreams of the people of Surguja. People here have been dreaming for years that this tribal area would also be connected to the rest of the country through air connectivity. The time has come for their dream to come true.
The Chief Minister said that the inauguration of the airport today is a great news for Surguja as well as for entire Chhattisgarh. The people of Jagdalpur, Raipur and Bilaspur are also waiting for that day for a long time when they will be able to come to Ambikapur easily. The airport will also connect two major tribal divisions of the state, so its launch is also very important for the development of the tribal community of the state. During the tenure of Prime Minister Modi, continuous steps have been taken to intensify air connectivity in Chhattisgarh. Facilities and number of flights have also increased at Jagdalpur, Raipur and Bilaspur airports.
It will not only mark the beginning of a new airport but will also prove to be a major step towards connecting the remote areas of Chhattisgarh with the mainstream. Local products such as handicrafts, agricultural produce, and handicrafts will also reach larger markets easily, thereby boosting trade. Apart from this, Surguja’s natural beauty and tribal culture will attract foreign tourists, which will also give a new direction to the tourism industry. This airport will bring prosperity and new opportunities to the lives of people here.
