Udan 4.0 to offer air connectivity to Bilaspur and Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh
21 Nov 2019
The fourth round of the regional air connectivity programme, Udan 4.0, will focus on states having unconnected regions and the civil aviation ministry has taken up the demands received for connectivity of Bilaspur and Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh, minister of state for civil aviation Hardeep S Puri said on Wednesday.
The minister said the civil aviation ministry, at a review meeting of Udan, discussed demands received for connectivity of Bilaspur and Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh and said the ministry is committed to connecting these airports at the earliest. Udan 4.0 would focus on routes connecting these airports, he added.
Udan scheme focuses on states having unconnected regions. Chhattisgarh is one of the focus states for ministry of civil aviation. The ministry will soon be starting bidding for Udan 4.0 under which prescribed priority routes in Chhattisgarh would be offered for bidding.
Bilaspur is identified as a priority airport and prescriptive routes involving Bilaspur have already been included in the ensuing round of bidding under Udan, he said. There has been immense interest expressed from the airline operators to connect the city and extend benefit of air transport to the people of the region, he added.
Bilaspur is significant on the country’s map both culturally and commercially. The region is also recognised for its distinct characteristics; be it the unique rice quality, Doobraj or the contribution of the Kosa silk industry to the handloom sector. Connecting Bilaspur is expected to meet desired aspirations of the people of the region.