In a development which would give an impetus to the religious tourism in Uttarakhand, Air India started Dehradun–Varanasi air service on Saturday. The service would connect, Uttarakhand usually called Dev Bhoomi with the Varanasi often referred to as the ‘Spiritual Capital of India. The service which would operate twice a week initially was formally inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat at Dehradun airport, Jollygrant on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, CM said that the direct air service between Dehradun and Varanasi would especially benefit the people of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
He said that the service would also give a fillip to the tourism in the State. Rawat said that special attention is being paid to develop infrastructure in Uttarakhand and effort is being made to increase road, air and rope-way connectivity. He opined that the expansion of air services in the State would attract more investment and give a big boost to the tourism industry. These developments would help in generation of more employment opportunities in the State. The CM said that Dehradun is now linked to every major city of the country by air.
In the programme, the CM lit a ceremonial lamp and distributed a cake to those present on the occasion. He also congratulated the pilot of Air India’s Mumbai- Dehradun-Varanasi flight, Shiraj Faroqui.
An official communication informed that the Dehradun-Varanasi air service would be initially available on Wednesdays and Saturdays. After assessing the traffic on the route, this service could be made thrice a week or even daily. In October, air service from Dehradun to Kolkata would also start.
This is third air bus of Air India to operate from Dehradun Airport, Jollygrant.
The Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, MLA Dhan Singh Negi, advisor, aviation of CM, Captain Deep Srivastava, director Air India Meenakshi Mallik, Aruna Gopalkrishnan and others were present on the occasion.
