Raipur: Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has penned a letter to Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, making significant requests to enhance air services in Chhattisgarh. In his letter, he has urged the extension of the contract period with Alliance Air for the Raipur-Jagdalpur-Hyderabad air route and the initiation of air services from Bilaspur Airport to major cities across the country. Additionally, he has called for the resumption of discontinued air routes connecting Bilaspur to Indore and Bhopal.
Chief Minister emphasized that improved air connectivity has played a pivotal role in boosting tourism in the Bastar region, making it a prominent destination on the national tourism map. Baghel underscored the need to commence air services from Bilaspur to major cities, a move that would greatly benefit the residents of the state.
He pointed out that the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) was introduced by the government to provide affordable air travel options to the common people. The commencement of domestic air services from Jagdalpur and Bilaspur airports in Chhattisgarh would ensure that affordable domestic air travel becomes accessible to the state’s residents. The state government is committed to facilitating timely payments of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) required for RCS air services.
Under the RCS scheme, Alliance Air successfully operated regular domestic air services on the Raipur-Jagdalpur-Hyderabad route for three years, effectively promoting tourism in tribal-dominated areas such as Bastar. However, the contract with Alliance Air for this route concluded in September 2023, suspending the RCS flight service. The state government has since requested ad hoc air service in the sector, but this could be halted if the company receives other profitable RCS proposals, potentially depriving Bastar of affordable domestic airline services.
To further enhance air travel, the state government is actively developing Bilaspur Airport to meet 4C-IFR category standards, including upgrading lighting for night landing as per 3C-IFR standards. Proposals have been sent to the Central Government for the commencement of air services from Bilaspur to major cities and the resumption of air services to Indore and Bhopal.
In light of the successful operation of aviation services in Bastar under the RCS scheme, the Chief Minister has requested an extension of the contract with Alliance Air for another three years on the Raipur-Jagdalpur-Hyderabad route. Additionally, he has called for the initiation of flight services from Bilaspur to major cities and the resumption of discontinued routes.
Efforts to improve air connectivity in the Bastar region also include the extension of Delhi-Jabalpur air services to Jagdalpur. The state government has agreed to advance VGF payments to support this initiative.
