Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has urged Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia to include Bilaspur in UDAN-5 scheme.
Baghel said on Sunday in a letter that the Union Ministry has not included Bilaspur in the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) – 5 scheme. There is disappointment among the people of Bilaspur zone due to this, an official communication said.
He said Bilaspur was the second most important city in the state. The location of the High Court and other prominent public sector offices necessitates regular air services to Bilaspur.
He said the state government in consultation with the Directorate of General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aviation Minisry had spent Rs 45 crores from the state budget on the Bilaspur airport. The number of passengers on all the flights arriving to and departing from Bilaspur were promising. However, for unknown reasons, the flight service to Indore was stopped. UDAN-5 scheme is a regional airport programme of the Indian government and part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme.