The Chhattisgarh Government is trying hard to get air connectivity for all its key cities. The Centre 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, officials stated.
In Bilaspur, the land acquisition process for establishing airport in Chakarbhata has already been completed, 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 14 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.
As State government realized the need to promote airways for travelling, Chief Minister Raman Singh decided to reduce the VAT rate on aviation fuel from 25 per cent to 5 per cent. And now the number of flights to/from Chhattisgarh has increased to 13. Presently, flight services of Air India, Indigo, Indigo, Jet Airways and Jet Connect Aviation Companies are available here.
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. Construction work of State Government’s State Hanger and Administrative Building near Swami Vivekananda Airport of Raipur has also been completed.
The New terminal of Raipur Airport was inaugurated by President of India Pranab Mukherjee on November 7, 2012. The State government has been requesting Ministry of Civil Aviation to include Bilaspur, Ambikapur and Jagdalpur in the schemes related to establishment of Government of India’s airports. 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.
Presently, there are four flights each for Raipur to Delhi and Raipur to Mumbai, two for Raipur to Hyderabad, one for Raipur to Bengaluru and two for Raipur to Kolkata.
Chief Minister is taking effective steps to develop and expand aviation services in the state. During his stay in New Delhi, Chief Minister 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. To commence international flights from Raipur, development of required facilities is in process.
The State government has allotted 400 acres of land to Airports Authority of India for expansion of Raipur Airport. The State Government had also been requesting the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to include Bilaspur, Ambikapur and Jagdalpur in its plans to develop regional airports.
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.
Ambikapur and Jagdalpur have also undergone significant progress in tourism and industrial sector. Presently, there are four flights each for Raipur to Delhi and Raipur to Mumbai, two for Raipur to Hyderabad, one for Raipur to Bengaluru and two for Raipur to Kolkata, officials informed.
Chief Minister Raman Singh had already 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 Rs 1.36 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. Expansion of aviation services in state will create better employment opportunities and will also expedite the economic development of the State. Presently, the number of flights to and from Chhattisgarh has increased to 13.