The State Government has shown its full commitment to extend air connectivity to smaller towns of Jharkhand which include Dumka, Deoghar, Bokaro and Jamshedpur. Nearest in the line is Deoghar where ground breaking for building airport is expected in November.
Several decisions were taken in a high level meeting held in this regard involving Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha and Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Tuesday.
“The Government is committed to provide air connectivity to different districts of the State. Smaller air services to the places like Dumka, Deoghar, Bokaro and Jamshedpur would be started and the Government is ready to extend all possible help. If required, business houses would also be roped in,” said the CM after the meeting.
The Chief Minister further said the facility besides improving connectivity and promoting business in the State would also provide employment opportunities for the locals in large numbers which would ultimately boost Jharkhand economy.
Informing about figures concerning existing air travel in the State the CM said that during last 1000 days of his Government number of air passengers from the State has gone up from five lakh to 15 lakh and number of flights from 8 to 24 per day.
Jayant Sinha on the occasion informed that Ranchi airport would be developed as per international standards for which work would start in the middle of next year. He also indicated to the possibility to start chopper service to Parasnath where Jain followers visit in large numbers.
Officials present in the meeting informed Jayant Sinha that air service from Bokaro and Jamshedpur would be established soon and required formalities in this regard are in their last stages. “We are also working in the direction of providing smaller flights from Dumka while the work to build airport at Deoghar would start in November. It is expected to cost `500 crore. Besides, process has also started for Dhalbhumgarh near Jamshedpur and Chiyanki of Palamu,” said an official present in the meeting.
Secretary with the Ministry RN Choubey, Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma, Additional Chief Secretary Amit Khare, Transport Secretary KK Khandelwal, Energy Secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni, Industry Secretary Sunil Kumar Barnwal and other senior officials were present in the meeting.