The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has awarded work for extension of runway at Swami Vivekananda Airport (AAI) in Raipur from existing 2286 metres to 3251 metres to make it suitable for operation of AB-321 type aircraft, officials informed.
Notably, Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA) has acquired an additional 128.6 hectares of land and handed over to AAI for the proposed extension of the runway of Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur.
AAI will be getting soil investigation done as a procedure for carrying out the work of extension of Runway at the Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur, officials informed.
It has also drawn up ambitious plans for creating infrastructure for an international level business and leisure destination on the city side of Swami Vivekananda Airport .
The project aims to provide a world-class environment, in which people can work, play and stay while catering to the surge in traffic of corporate travellers and tourists, officials informed.
The entire land 80 acres of land earmarked for developing various types of infrastructure may be provided to multiple entities / developers for modular development on 30 year lease or to a single entity under PPP concessional framework for development of the city-side for 30 year lease, they informed.
The AAI believes that development of the city side of the airport would make the region an ‘economic hub’ with exceptional connectivity, officials informed.
The city side development of the airport also envisages setting up of hotels and convention centers with an ‘Airport Commercial District’ which would also include ‘Airport Business District’, and a host of world-class passenger convenience amenities among others.
Notably, the AAI has also commenced the process for developing small airports in Chhattisgarh under RCS.
The Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur is one of the 'Commissioned Common User Domestic Air Cargo Terminals' (CUDCT) among several others in the country promoting global air cargo movement, officials informed.
Notably, the total exports from Chhattisgarh's already operational SEZ during 2014-15 stood at Rs 3.19 crore and Rs 1.84 crore in 2013-14.
Export Promotion Council for EoUs and SEZs (EPCES) has been undertakingseveral activities for enhancing exports as well as resolving issues concerning EoUs and SEZs.
The Central Government, on the basis of inputs/suggestions received from stakeholders on the policy and operational framework of the SEZ Scheme, periodically reviews the policy and operational framework of SEZs and takes necessary measures so as to facilitate speedy and effective implementation of SEZ policy, officials informed.
Notably, Chhattisgarh has signed MoU with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for promoting Centre’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) in the State, officials informed.
The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation had earlier released the draft Regional Air Connectivity Scheme (RCS) for stakeholder consultation, with the twin objectives of promoting balanced regional growth and making flying affordable for masses.
The RCS is the key component of the National Civil Aviation Policy which was released by the Ministry on June 15, 2016. The scheme, which would be in operation for a period of 10 years, envisages providing connectivity to un-served and under-served airports of the country through revival of existing air-strips and airports.
This would be achieved through a financial stimulus in the form of Central and State government concessions, as well as Viability Gap Funding to the interested airlines to kick-off operations from such airports, so that the passenger fares are kept affordable.
The fare for a one hour journey of appx. 500 km on a fixed wing aircraft or for a 30 minute journey on a helicopter would now be capped at Rs 2,500, with proportionate pricing for routes of different lengths / duration.
A Regional Connectivity Fund would be created to fund the VGF requirements under the scheme. The same would be funded through a levy on certain domestic flights.
The partner State Governments would also contribute a 20% share to this fund (10% for North Eastern States). For balanced regional growth, the allocations under the scheme would be equitably spread across the 5 geographical regions of the country viz North, West, South, East and North-east.
The States have been given a key role under the scheme. The selection of airports where RCS operations would be done in consultation with State Government and after confirmation of their concessions. This will be based on the selection of routes by the airline operators.
Chhattisgarh is aggressively focussing on development of three regional airports mainly Jagdalpur, Ambikapur and Raigarh under the Regional Connectivity Scheme of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, officials informed.
The State has already spent more than Rs 34 crore in the development of the aforesaid three air strips.
The Union Home Ministry appears to be very keen to see Jagdalpur Airport in Bastar to be developed and fully operational at the earliest.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in his review meeting on May 8 last year in his address in New Delhi had stated that the Airport at Jagdalpur will be operational very soon.
Notably, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on January 27 last year had performed bhoomi pujan for construction of terminal building and for taking up expansion works for Jagdalpur Airport at a function held in Jagdalpur.
During the programme, the Chief Minister had also inspected the construction site.
The Chief Minister while addressing gathering said that with the construction of terminal building, flights would be started soon which will surely benefit the people of Bastar division.
The State government has inked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Air India for launching flights whereas the monetary loss to the airline if any would be borne by the State government as per the MoU, Singh further said.
However, he expressed hope that there would be no loss for providing air services as most of the people want to travel by air from Jagdalpur.
