National and international flights should be started from state’s cities

Bhopal: Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has urged for declaring Indore and Bhopal airports as international airports and start national and international flights from there. Shri Chouhan held an important meeting with Union Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju regarding expansion of air services in Madhya Pradesh. Union Minister Shri Raju said that Madhya Pradesh has immense potential for expansion of aviation. Madhya Pradesh is the first state to take initiative of calling and holding discussions with representatives of various airlines. At the meeting, extensive discussions were held with managements of national and international airlines for starting flights to country and abroad from major cities of the state including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Khajuraho etc.
The Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh has the highest growth rate in the country. Agriculture growth rate is also the highest. Now, focus of the state government is on industrial development. Flight connectivity is vital for investors and development. Number of airlines between major cities of the country and Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior needs to be increased. He said that international flight can be started from Bhopal and Sri Lanka in view of number of pilgrims visiting famous Buddhist destination Sanchi. Sri Lankan President has agreed to start this flight. Similarly, Air Arabia is willing to start Indore to Sharjah flight.
Union Minister Shri Raju said that the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation will make use of this initiative of Madhya Pradesh Government. Better response is also expected from airlines providers. Madhya Pradesh’s is the first state government which has taken initiative for holding discussions with various airlines. Other state governments will also follow suit. He said that air services will also increase with growth of economy in future.
Industries Minister Smt. Yashodhara Raje Scindia said that the state has immense aviation potential. She urged various airlines to give consent to start flights from Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur etc. before Global Investors Summit next month.
Principal Secretary Aviation Shri Iqbal Singh Bais gave information about statues of Madhya Pradesh’s airports and their area-wise expansion. The meeting was informed that Madhya Pradesh government has reduced VAT on ATF from 28 percent to 5 percent to promote airlines to start new air services in the state. About 900 acre land has been made available to Airport Authority of India to develop Bhopal, Indore and Khajuraho airports as international airports. The state government has constituted a special purpose vehicle for construction of airport at industrial town Singrauli. Rs. 14 crore has also been made available to Singrauli collector to acquire required land.
The meeting decided that Air India will re-start its Bhopal-Delhi morning flight. Indigo will also decide soon to start commercial flights from Bhopal.
The Union Minister was urged for air connectivity of Indore with Ahmadabad, Jaipur, Khajuraho, Bhopal with Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune and Jaipur and Gwalior with Mumbai, Indore and Khajuraho. He was also informed that Air Emirates has given consent to start cargo service from Indore. For this, Central clearance is awaited. Union Minister Shri Raju said that Aviation Ministry is agreed to it. Clearance will have to be taken from External Affairs Ministry. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that all clearances will be taken.
The meeting also gave consent to launch Pawan Hans helicopters to facilitate tourists at tourist destination, National Parks and sanctuaries.
The meeting also expressed gratitude towards the Central Government for the decision to identify Jabalpur, Rewa and Gwalior for construction of low-cost airports.
Minister of State for Aviation Shri Lal Singh Arya, Chief Secretary Shri Anthony de Sa, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shri Ajay Nath, Managing Directors of Air India, Airport Authority of India, Indigo, Emirates Airlines, Go-Air, Jet, Spicejet and other airlines and senior officers attended the meeting.