Raipur
In a significant boost to air connectivity in northern Chhattisgarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Maa Mahamaya Airport in Darima, Ambikapur, on Sunday. The airport, spread over 365 acres, was developed at a cost of Rs 80 crore as part of the Government of India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). It is equipped with a 3C VFR (Visual Flight Rules) runway, designed to accommodate 72-seater ATR aircraft, and the terminal has been expanded to handle an estimated 500,000 passengers annually. To mark the occasion, the first ATR flight from Ambikapur to Raipur was symbolically welcomed with a water cannon salute.
This new airport aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of enhancing air travel to small towns and remote regions, offering residents and businesses in northern Chhattisgarh improved access to the rest of the country. Governor Ramen Deka, speaking at the event, described the inauguration as a “historic day” for the Surguja region. He emphasized that the airport would catalyze economic growth, providing a major boost to connectivity for local residents and industrialists. Surguja, he pointed out, is the second-largest tribal region in Chhattisgarh after Bastar, and this airport marks a critical step in the region’s development.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai hailed the opening of the Maa Mahamaya Airport as a landmark in the state’s growth. He stated that the airport not only represents a leap in air connectivity but also symbolizes new economic opportunities for the people of Surguja. By linking remote tribal areas to the rest of India, the airport paves the way for both social and economic progress.
Sai further commended Prime Minister Modi’s efforts in making air travel accessible to all, including those who previously could only dream of flying. The airport, he added, fulfills the aspirations of people from areas like Jagdalpur, Raipur, and Bilaspur, who have long awaited improved connectivity to Ambikapur. The new airport also strengthens ties between the state’s two major tribal regions, fostering inclusive development and promoting regional integration.
With the inauguration of this airport, Chhattisgarh takes another stride toward enhancing its infrastructure and air travel facilities, bringing greater convenience, fostering trade, and boosting tourism in this previously underserved region.
