In a major development for air travelers in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai hoisted the green flag on Tuesday, marking the commencement of direct flights between Bilaspur and Kolkata, as well as New Delhi. This initiative also extends air connectivity to Bastar, a region heavily affected by Naxal insurgency, now linked to Delhi via the air route.
The inauguration ceremony, held virtually from Raipur and at Bilasa Airport in Bilaspur, saw the participation of Deputy CM Arun Saw along with other dignitaries, who waved the green flag to kickstart the new flight services. Bilasa Airport witnessed the departure of 51 passengers for Kolkata and 64 passengers for New Delhi on the inaugural day. Additionally, 35 tickets were booked for flights departing from Jagdalpur.
Expressing his enthusiasm, CM Saw emphasized that Bilaspur's development journey would now be propelled further with the commencement of these new flight services. He also hinted at future plans to introduce air services for other major cities, including Hyderabad. Deputy CM Arun Saw highlighted the long-standing demand for air connectivity in Bilaspur, which has now been fulfilled with the support of the central government under Prime Minister Modi's leadership.
Meanwhile, in another significant development, Bastar Collector Vijay Dayaram informed about the initiation of air connectivity between Jagdalpur's Maa Danteshwari Airport and Jabalpur, facilitated by the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). He expressed pride in the achievement, emphasizing that the flight service holds the distinction of being cost-effective, with Delhi-bound tickets priced at just Rs. 2500 on online booking platforms.
The inaugural flights were greeted with grand receptions upon their arrival at Jagdalpur Airport, including water cannon salutes, adding to the allure of the occasion. It is customary to extend such warm welcomes to every new flight, reflecting the enthusiasm and excitement surrounding the expansion of air connectivity in the region. The introduction of flights by Air Alliance from Jagdalpur marks a significant milestone in enhancing accessibility and connectivity for the residents of Bastar and beyond.