State Civil Aviation Department is planning to begin inter-district air connectivity once they get the Non Schedule Operator Permit (NSOP) from the Central Government. NSOP is likely to be given this month. Districts like Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dumka and Deoghar which have aerodromes would probably be connected.
State Civil Aviation Principal Secretary Sajal Chakraverty said, “Presently, we have three four-seater helicopters for this soon-to-experiment air-taxi service. We are trying to purchase three more such helicopters for the said purpose. It may also give us a chance to start our Flying club.” Similar to single engine helicopter meant for Baba Baidyanath Dham tour during this Saawan season, this department has decided to utilise the same for its inter-district air travel. “In my last 30-35 years association with the aviation department, I have rarely come across single engine helicopters crashing incidents. In fact, such helicopters owe a historical name among noted corporate house’s senior officials for its convenience,” conceded Chakraverty.
Presuming the low acceptance of such latest concepts in Jharkhand, Sajal said, “It will take sometime for the local people to absorb this costly communication.” Adding cheer for the postponed air tour from Ranchi and Jamshedpur for Baba Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar) which was supposed to commence from July22, State Tourism and Civil Aviation along with Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce (FJCCI) is all set to begin the same from July 28 morning in the presence of Chief Minister (CM) Hemant Soren from Birsa Munda Airport.
Tracking on the lack of ignorance about this religious tour among the Jharkhand residents, FJCCI President Ranjeet Kumar Tibrewal informed that overall only 36 passengers have availed for this nine seater flight service from Ranchi. The up-down service from Ranchi to Deoghar and then Jamshedpur to Ranchi is scheduled from July 28, 29, 30 31 and August 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively. The special journey would let the devotees offer puja to lord Shiva at Deoghar in one day and return back home on the same day. According to FJCCI members, Kolkata people have also shown interest for this religious tour.
“Right from departure for Baba Baidyanath Dham in the flight, we will take care of the lodging, worshiping at the lord Shiva Deoghar temple and meal for our devotee passengers. We can delay the departure from Deoghar incase the passengers are interested in marketing or roaming the city,” said State Tourism Director Siddhartha Tripathi. As decided earlier, Tripathi too is willing to continue the religious service for the whole Saawan month. He said, “The booking done till now is far less than our expectation. If people purchase the tickets in bulk, we will surely offer give some discount to the fixed ticket price.”
Notably, the concerned government departs and FJCCI people had failed to focus on the grand marketing of this lord Shiva temple air tourism. “In Jharkhand, the demand position is not equal to effective demand. We should have expanded our Baidyanath Dham tour marketing in metropolitan cities as well via travel agencies. lack of ignorance among state people has been observed by our aviation industry minutely relating to future introductions of such flight trips. So, we have decided not to call any air-operator for inter-city service with our personal interest for the sake of public,” Sajal said. As for the flagging off on the first day Deoghar flight under the supervision of CM Hemant Soren, the Secretary is trying to coordinate the initial ceremonial and basic passenger checking from the State Hanger side based near Birsa airport with the support of Central Reserve Police Force personnel.