NEW DELHI: Meghalaya Transport Minister HDR Lyngdoh on Tuesday demanded multiple expansion of air network linking major parts of the State and direct flights between Shillong and New Delhi besides the expansion and modernization of the Umroi and Baljek airports.
Speaking at the State Civil Aviation Ministers’ Conference here, Lyngdoh said since Meghalaya lacked rail connectivity and road connectivity was yet to match the desired level, air traffic becomes a vital means of transport and communication for the people of the Hill State.
“A direct flight to New Delhi and later to other metropolises will be of immense help to the State,” Lyngdoh said at the meeting which was attended by Union Civil Aviation Minister, Ajit Singh and Minister of State for Civil Aviation, KC Venugopal.
He also demanded that the Baljek airport at Tura be made operational and a flight linking Tura with Kolkata via Shillong be introduced.
A direct flight to Delhi and a Tura-Shillong-Kolkata flight can attract large number of passengers, the Meghalaya Transport Minister said.
“This will also bring back the confidence of scores of passengers who are denied assured flights or no flight at all,” he said adding that all the district headquarters and remote places should be connected with copter services at least. Acknowledging Lyngdoh’s demands, the Union Civil Aviation Minister said there is a need for better regional connectivity in the country.
“Considering the vastness of the country and varied terrains- ranging from the high mountainous region in the North, hilly terrains in the North-East, deserts in the West and thickly populated congested regions in the South, the number of airports in the country is very less,” Singh said.
The Civil Aviation Minister said that there is a need to develop smaller “low-cost no-frill” airports with small planes in potentially economically growing cities identified in various parts of the country with the help of the state governments.
Centre will encourage the airlines to operate flights to provide regional air connectivity to Tier-II & Tier-III cities and connectivity to remote and difficult areas. “This is possible only if operational costs of the airlines are reduced to minimum and the State Governments can contribute by bearing some operational expenses like cost of security, power, fire and rescue machinery and providing incentives by minimizing property tax of the airports and also under-writing of seats in the flights,” the Civil Aviation Minister said. Meanwhile, Lyngdoh pointed out that Meghalaya has no VAT on the Aviation Turbine Fuel and is bearing the cost of firing fighting equipment, security and property tax at Umroi airport.
He also requested for granting permanent refuelling facility in the state. It may be mentioned that oil major BPCL has already agreed to the proposal.
Meghalaya Minister also urged the Union Minister to personally intervene in the development of the Umroi and Baljek airports and expansion of flights in the Hill State.