Chhattisgarh-Centre ink MoU for Air Connectivity within state

     Raipur, September 09, 2016: Government of Chhattisgarh and India today signed a memorandum of understanding to start low fare air services to connect Bilaspur, Ambikapur, Raigarh and Jagdalpur.

     Director Aviation Rajat Kumar from Chhattisgarh and Joint Secretary Union Civil Aviation Ministry Anil Shrivastava signed the MoU in the presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh at Naya Raipur Mantralaya.

     The MoU was signed as a part of Regional Connectivity Scheme to connect Jagdalpur, Ambikapur, Raigarh and Bilaspur in the first phase, officials said.

     Under this scheme Rs 2500 will be charged for flying a distance of 500 to 515 kilometre, Union Minister Raju said. The operators would also be exempted from excise, VAT and service tax to increase the regional connectivity, he said.

      Secretary union Civil Aviation Ministry Rajeev Narayan Choubey said a total of 415 airstrips and airports are not in aviation use in the country and the Centre has drafted a policy to make use of those airstrips to improve regional connectivity.

      Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh said with the start of the scheme not only the regional connectivity will improve but also will lead to more opportunity for tourism and employment.

     Singh also assured the Centre of all assistance, saying Chhattisgarh had been trying for a long time to connect its important cities via air.