The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has proposed to construct over 10-km-long perimeter road all around the boundary wall of the proposed extension of the runway of Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur, official sources informed. 

The perimeter road would be used as a standard practice by airport authorities for ensuring smooth operations of all air-side tasks including security aspects. The AAI had also proposed to construct as many as eight Watch Towers in the extended part of the runway for keeping round-the-clock vigil.

The runway of Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur had been proposed to be extended by another 11,000 feet for facilitating international operations, officials here stated.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) had already proposed substantial extension of the runway alongwith expansion of the Apron at the Airport, they stated. There had already been a demand from various operators to extend the runway by another 900 ft first and subsequently to 11000 ft.

The expansion of the Apron would facilitate parking of atleast three additional aircraft, officials stated The Chhattisgarh Government has provisioned Rs50 crore in its State Budget 2015-16 for extension of the runway of the Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur to bring it at par with international standards.

The Government in its budget has also decided to upgrade the airstrips in Dantewada, Bijapur and Balrampur. The Government is trying hard to get air connectivity for all its key cities besides getting international flights operated from Raipur at the earliest, officials stated.

The Central Government already in its bid to develop 50 airports in the country has already included the industrial cities of  Bilaspur and Raigarh in its plans for  expanding aviation services in Chhattisgarh, they stated.

Significantly, on July 24, 2013, the State Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)  with Airports Authority of India to establish an airport at Raigarh.During the last 15 years, civil aviation services in Chhattisgarh have skyrocketed. Earlier, there were hardly any flights landing in Raipur, but as the city began to develop as capital of the State and the economic-administrative activities expedited over here, several big players of the industry began to take interest in the State.

Setting up of new industries, power houses, and increase in demand of airways for people to visit different cities of the country for business-commerce and administrative purposes, the number of flights landing in Swami Vivekanada Airport Raipur also increased. In year 2013-14, nearly 8.39 lakh have taken up their journey from this airport.

Along with Raipur Airport, Chief Minister Raman Singh is making strenuous efforts to start air services from cities like Jagdalpur, Bilaspur, and Raigarh as well.The New terminal of Raipur Airport was inaugurated by President of India Pranab Mukherjee on November 7, 2012.

Bilaspur is a centre of not only industrial organizations but also education and commercial activities. NTPC, SECl, Railway Zone and Central University along with two other state universities are located here. Ambikapur and Jagdalpur have also undergone significant progress in tourism and industrial sector.

The State Government has allotted 400 acres of land to AAI for expansion of Raipur Airport.

Bilaspur is a hub of not only industrial activity but also education and commercial activities. The NTPC, SECl, Railway Zone and Central University along with two other state universities are located in Bilaspur, officials stated.

Chief Minister Raman Singh had met Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ashok Gajpati Raju on July 15, 2014 and requested him to start international flights from Raipur and to set up airports in Bilaspur, Jagdalpur and Ambikapur, officials stated.

He had told the Union Minister that several big industrial plants are located in Chhattisgarh and the service sector is also flourishing in the State. Owing to which, the demand of air services in Raipur has increased significantly during the last five years.

To commence international flights from Raipur, development of required facilities is in process. Resolution for starting regular aviation services from Bilaspur and international flights from Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur had also been passed in the Chhattisgarh Assembly.

The Chhattisgarh Aviation Department has sanctioned Rs1.36 crore to AAI to provide night landing facility on the Jagdalpur airstrip.

Presently, Ambikapur (Darima), Bilaspur, Bhilai (Nandini), Jagdalpur, Jashpurnagar, Raigarh and Korba have airstrips.