5 Northeastern states to be air-linked to Umroi

SHILLONG: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching UDAN, the Regional Connectivity Scheme for civil aviation, from Shimla Airport on Thursday, there is hope for the launch of the scheme from the Umroi airport connecting the region sometime in August.
Flights from the Umroi airport will be connected to five destinations in the North East – Agartala, Aizawl, Dimapur, Imphal and Silchar.
Earlier, the State Government had a meeting with the Airport Authority of India to discuss the launch of the scheme and it was decided that Air Deccan will carry out the service with incentives  from both the Centre and the State Government in the 90:10 funding pattern.
An official with the Transport Department said on Thursday that 20 or 50-seater aircraft will be used for the regional connectivity.
As per the scheme, every flight will have 50 per cent low-cost seats at Rs 2,500 per seat. This will be applicable to flights that will traverse a distance of less than 500 km or one hour. The State Government also desires to include Baljek airport under the scheme.
Sources said though the scheme may improve regional connectivity, it will take more years to connect Umroi to Delhi or other cities other than Kolkata as the runway needs to be expanded.