Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh’s air connectivity with other states received a major boost on Sunday as Chief Minister Mohan Yadav flagged off four new flights from Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal.
The routes — Bhopal-Rewa, Bhopal-Patna, Rewa-Kolkata and Jabalpur-Kolkata — will significantly reduce travel time for thousands of passengers and give a fillip to business, tourism and the state’s economy.
The Chief Minister was joined by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla.
On the occasion, CM Yadav also handed over boarding passes to a few passengers.
Calling it a glorious day, Yadav said the British had built airports at Jabalpur, Gwalior, Bhopal and Indore, while the Janata Party government later added Khajuraho.
“In just three years, Madhya Pradesh has got three new airports. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, more airports are coming up. Today the state has received approval for five additional airports,” he said. He added that the state government provides subsidies of several lakh rupees per flight.
An international flight from Indore to Abu Dhabi has already begun, and a Bhopal-Sharjah service will start in two months.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that Madhya Pradesh was the first state to introduce air ambulance services, using aircraft where runways exist and helicopters elsewhere. “Our helicopter service is gaining momentum. In five years, the state has got 10 airports, and more than 10 new routes have been added in two years,” he noted.
Union Minister Rammohan Naidu congratulated the state and praised its new aviation policy as one of the best in the country. He said under PM Modi’s leadership, 90 airports have been built in 12 years, and the number of aircraft has doubled, transforming Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
He announced that 1,700 new aircraft are expected in the country and the UDAN scheme will expand further.
Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla termed it a historic day for the Vindhya region, which is rich in coal, power and religious tourism. He thanked the Chief Minister for framing the progressive aviation policy, stressing that air connectivity has become a necessity rather than a luxury.
The flights will be operated by Alliance Air. Under the Madhya Pradesh Civil Aviation Policy-2025, the state will provide Viability Gap Funding of up to Rs 10 lakh per round trip.
The new services will directly link Bhopal with Rewa and Patna, and connect Rewa and Jabalpur with Kolkata, facilitating faster travel and boosting tourism, trade, education and economic activities across the state.
(IANS)
