Nine small towns of Maharashtra to get connected via air route

Mumbai: Maharashtra government has chosen Amaravati, Gondia, Nashik, Jalgaon, Nanded, Solapur, Kolapur, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) of the Centre via the air route. The companies that have chosen to run these airports have been given some concessions for fuel, electricity etc. A committee has also been appointed by the government headed by the principal secretary civil aviation to monitor functioning of the airports.

The RCS was launched by the Centre to connect small cities through the air route. To make the scheme financially viable, the Centre has told the state to give concessions to the companies that will be running the services. The state appointed committee will monitor the functioning of the airports.

The concessions given by the state includes “ tax on Air Turbine Fuel which would be one per cent for the next 10 years.  The state will speak to oil companies to ensure the required services at the airports. The state will provide infrastructure and roads connecting the airports with other modes of transport like metro, railways and waterways. It would also give free land as and when required for the infrastructure. The state’s responsibility is to make trained manpower, well-equipped security and fire brigade avaialbe for the airport. Maharashtra government will also provide water, electricity and other facilities at a concession.”

Amaravati and Solapur airports are operated by Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation. Gondia airport by Airport Authority of India, Nagpur, Nashik airport by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Jalgaon airport operated by Airport Authority of India. Nanded airport is owned by Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation and run by Reliance. Kolhapur and Sindhudurg airports are also owned by Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporations and run by Airport Authority of India and IRB respectively. The Ratnagiri is owned and run by Indian Coast Guard.

Earlier, Maharashtra government had tried to run the small airports on its own. But it did not get the desired response.

Also, the required air slot in the morning and evening at Mumbai airport was not possible then as it was the busiest airport in the world. Hence various players were roped in to connect the state’s small towns with air route.

Soaring High

• State has chosen Amaravati, Gondia, Nashik, Jalgaon, Nanded, Solapur, Kolapur, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg under the regional connectivity scheme
• The tax on Air Turbine Fuel would be one per cent for the next 10 years.
• The state will provide infrastructure and roads connecting the airports with other mode of transports like metro, railways and waterways.
• State government will also provide water, electricity and other facilities at concession.