The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will be constructing a home for senior citizens under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme near the Swami Vivekananda Airport at Mana Camp in Raipur.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs209.78 lakhs (roughly little more than Rs2.09 crores).
Notably, the Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur is gradually heading towards becoming a ‘green airport’ with a host of energy saving and environment conservation moves being undertaken by the authorities.
The latest in such a drive is the AAI deciding to replace all the high power sodium light fittings on the poles in the perimeter of Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur with lED light fittings.
The cost of the project is Rs37.27 lakhs, officials stated.
The AAI is also replacing the existing halogen type runway and taxiway light fittings with lED fittings at the Airport. The total cost of the project is Rs39,93,600 , officials informed.
On the environment conservation front, the AAI had directed that the slips generated by machines in the baggage wrapping area must be recyclable.
It may be recalled that 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 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, officials stated.
The New terminal of Raipur Airport was inaugurated by President of India Pranab Mukherjee on November 7, 2012.
The State Government has allotted 400 acres of land to AAI for expansion of Raipur Airport.