Latest news with #Udan
Time of India
an hour ago
- Business
- Time of India
Three more airports to become functional in state: CS
Patna: After establishing a strong network of roads, Bihar is witnessing a major leap in the civil aviation sector, with a total of six functional big airports expected in the next three years. This is being done with the aim of having at least one airport within a distance of 200 km from any town in the state. Apart from increasing the number of airports, the state also slashed VAT on aviation turbine fuel from 29% to 4% to attract more flight operators and enhance the state's air connectivity. Talking to TOI, chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena said the state already has three functional airports: one each at Patna, Gaya, and Darbhanga. Three others are going to be added to the list, including the fourth one at Purnia, which is targeted to be operational in Aug this year. The fifth in the pipeline is Bihta airport, which is expected to be functional by Dec 2027, and the sixth will be Raxaul airport, with the target of starting operation by June 2028. In addition to the state's major airports, six new small airports are slated to be developed in the next three years at Madhubani, Saharsa, Birpur (Supaul), Valmiki Nagar (West Champaran), Munger, and Muzaffarpur. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola These airports will be built under the Udan (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme. Nilesh Ramchandra Deore, special secretary in the cabinet secretariat (with additional charge as director of civil aviation, Bihar), said while these small airport sites already exist and are maintained by the state govt, they currently lack infrastructure such as air traffic control towers and terminal buildings required for flight operations. Under the Udan scheme, these facilities will be constructed with about Rs 25 crore allotted to each airport by the Centre – enabling the airports to become fully functional. With the addition of these six, Bihar will have a total of 12 airports (both big and small). Furthermore, the govt has approved the construction of heliports at Jehanabad, Samastipur, and Nalanda, and this project is now in progress. Over the past year, Bihar saw key developments in civil aviation. The new terminal at Patna's Jay Prakash Narain International Airport was built at the cost of Rs 1,216 crore. The state also urged the Centre to approve an international greenfield airport near Patna. For Darbhanga airport, 76.65 acres were transferred and 89.75 acres were acquired (Rs 244.61 crore).
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami participates in paddy sowing, showcases commitment to farmers and cultural heritage
Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand) [India], July 5 (ANI): Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a heartfelt gesture saluting the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication of farmers, participated in paddy sowing on his private farmland in Nagra Terai area of Khatima on Saturday. According to a release, on the occasion, the Chief Minister offered traditional prayers to Bhumiyan Devta (the deity of land), Lord Indra (God of rains), and Meghraj (God of clouds) through the melodious strains of the culturally significant Hudkiya Baul, a folk instrument historically played in the farmlands of Uttarakhand to invoke blessings for a good harvest. CM Dhami's active participation in the sowing activity and his deep cultural connection with the farming community drew overwhelming enthusiasm among the local populace. This inspirational initiative by the Chief Minister underscores the state government's commitment to recognising and honouring the pivotal role of farmers in Uttarakhand's economy. Likewise, it also emphasised the promotion of conservation of traditional agricultural practices, rural cultural heritage, and rich folk arts. Meanwhile, Dhami participated in the Civil Aviation Conference-2025 organised in Dehradun on Friday. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and the Civil Aviation Ministers of North India also attended the conference. The CM said that this conference is a testimony to the historic progress made in the civil aviation sector of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that by connecting small cities and remote areas with air connectivity through the Udan scheme, not only has air travel become accessible to the common citizens, but the local economy has also been strengthened. The Chief Minister stated that 18 heliports are currently being developed in Uttarakhand, out of which services have commenced at 12. He said that heli services have become not only a means of transport in hilly states like Uttarakhand, but have also become a lifeline. 'Be it disaster management, health services or pilgrimage, helicopter services have provided unprecedented convenience in these areas'. Chief Minister Dhami urged the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to formulate a separate 'Mountain Aviation Policy' for mountain states, which should include provisions such as special financial assistance, subsidy for operations, a suitable ATC network for mountain areas, accurate weather forecast, slotting and pre-disaster preparation. The Chief Minister also requested that all operators provide special pilot training for mountain flights, adhere strictly to safety standards, and ensure the safety of passengers. (ANI)
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand CM Dhami urges Centre to formulate separate aviation policy for mountain states
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 5 (ANI): Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Civil Aviation Conference-2025 organised in Dehradun on Friday. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Civil Aviation Ministers of North India also attended the conference. Chief Minister said that this conference is a testimony to the historic progress made in the civil aviation sector of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that by connecting small cities and remote areas with air connectivity through the Udan scheme, not only has air travel become accessible to the common citizens, but the local economy has also been strengthened. The Chief Minister said that currently 18 heliports are being developed in Uttarakhand, out of which services have started at 12. He said that heli services have become not only a means of transport in hilly states like Uttarakhand, but have also become a lifeline. 'Be it disaster management, health services or pilgrimage, helicopter services have provided unprecedented convenience in these areas'. Chief Minister Dhami urged the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to formulate a separate 'Mountain Aviation Policy' for mountain states, which should include provisions such as special financial assistance, subsidy for operations, suitable ATC network for mountain areas, accurate weather forecast, slotting and pre-disaster preparation. The Chief Minister also requested all operators to provide special pilot training for mountain flights, strict adherence to safety standards and ensure the safety of passengers. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced that the government is working on a plan towards the expansion of airports and helipads in hilly areas of the country. Naidu stated that under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, several airports from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh are being built. 'We already have a plan for the expansion of heliports in hilly states. Under our Regional Connectivity Scheme, several airports from J&K to Arunachal Pradesh are being built', Ram Mohan Naidu told reporters in Dehradun. The Union Minister stated that there are 18 heliports in Uttarakhand, and as far as safety is concerned, the weather conditions and geographical terrains pose difficulties in the operations of helicopters. (ANI)
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Weeks before Air India crash, Parliament panel flagged funding shortfall
A report tabled by the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tourism, Transport and Culture on March 25 had flagged 'a distinct imbalance in the allocation of funds across key aviation bodies'. The crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad on June 12 has now thrust those warnings back into the public eye. In the 2025–26 Budget Estimate, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was allocated ₹30 crore — nearly half of the ₹65 crore total budget set aside for aviation regulatory and safety bodies. In contrast, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), responsible for probing air crashes, received ₹20 crore, while the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which oversees airport security, was allotted only ₹15 crore. The parliamentary panel expressed concern over this disproportionate distribution. It recommended a reassessment of the DGCA's large share to ensure greater efficiency and accountability, especially as the AAIB and BCAS are critical to handling emergencies and securing the country's expanding aviation infrastructure. Is India's airport growth outpacing its aviation safety budget? Since 2014, India's operational airports have doubled from 74 to 147, with a target of 220 by 2025–26. The panel cautioned that expanding services to Tier-II and Tier-III cities under the Udan scheme must be matched by proportional increases in funding for security and accident investigation. 'It is imperative to assess whether these funds are adequate to strengthen security infrastructure and enhance investigative capabilities. As aviation expands to Tier-II and Tier-III cities under the modified Udan scheme, security infrastructure and capabilities must be extended proportionally,' the report stated. How is understaffing affecting DGCA, BCAS, and AAI performance? The report also highlighted chronic vacancies across key aviation agencies: 53 per cent of sanctioned posts lie vacant in the DGCA, 35 per cent in BCAS, and 17 per cent in the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Committee members warned that understaffing could undermine safety reforms, even if budgets were increased. 'The committee is deeply concerned that chronic understaffing in these institutions could undermine safety, security, and service delivery standards, particularly as air traffic volumes continue to rise. The committee urges the Ministry of Civil Aviation to expedite the recruitment process to fill vacancies across DGCA, BCAS, and AAI, ensuring that regulatory oversight, security enforcement, and airport operations are not compromised,' the report said. What happened during the Air India AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad? Flight AI-171, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed into the campus of BJ Medical College minutes after take-off, killing 241 of the 242 passengers and crew, as well as 24 people on the ground. Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice and flight data recorders; a preliminary report from the AAIB is awaited. Tata Group, owner of Air India, has announced ₹1 crore compensation for each victim's family. Will Parliament boost aviation safety budgets after the Air India crash? Parliamentarians are expected to revisit the committee's recommendations during the upcoming monsoon session. Whether the tragic lessons from Ahmedabad will translate into bigger budgets and faster hiring for AAIB and BCAS will be watched closely by India's aviation industry — now the world's third-largest.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Cabinet clears Rs150-crore plan for 6 new small airports in state
Patna: Air travel in Bihar's smaller towns is set for a major boost with the state cabinet on Tuesday approving a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the state govt and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the construction of six small airports under the Centre's Udan scheme. The new airports will be developed in Madhubani, Birpur, Munger, Valmikinagar, Muzaffarpur and Saharsa, cabinet secretariat department additional chief secretary S Siddharth said after the cabinet meeting chaired by CM Nitish Kumar. Each airport is estimated to cost Rs 25 crore and a total allocation of Rs 150 crore has already been made for the purpose, Siddharth added. In another key decision, the cabinet approved the food and consumer protection department's proposal for the pulses and oilseeds procurement policy for the 2025-26 rabi crop marketing season. Under this, farmers will be able to sell three listed pulses and mustard oilseeds at the minimum support price (MSP). Siddharth said for the upcoming rabi season, the MSP for chana (gram) is Rs 5,650 per quintal, for masur (lentil) Rs 6,700 per quintal and for mustard oilseeds Rs 5,950 per quintal. These prices are fixed by the Union ministry of agriculture and farmers' welfare. The cabinet also gave its nod to the state's proposal to conduct a replenishment study of five key sand-bearing rivers – Sone, Kiul, Falgu, Morhar and Chanan – through the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI). The study, which will cost Rs 2.58 crore, will assess the current status of sand deposits, the volume of sand mined, usage by consumers and projected changes in availability. In education-related decisions, the cabinet approved a proposal to reserve 50% of clerk appointments in middle and high schools for compassionate grounds and the remaining 50% through direct recruitment. A similar structure has been approved for the appointment of 'paricharis' (school attendants) while the appointment of librarians in schools has also been cleared. These proposals were submitted by the education department. The cabinet extended the contract of 1,717 personnel of the State Auxiliary Force (SAF) for the 2025-26 fiscal. These personnel, mainly ex-servicemen, are engaged on contract to support the state's security apparatus. The cabinet approved the formation of a revenue advisory committee in the revenue and land reforms department to advise on complex land and revenue matters. The committee will be headed by a retired IAS officer with relevant experience and include retired Bihar administrative service officials and two legal experts in land and revenue affairs. Among infrastructure initiatives, the cabinet sanctioned the acquisition of 70.05 acres of land in Amnaur circle of Saran district to develop an industrial area. It also approved the release of Rs 224 crore from the state contingency fund as Bihar's share in the centrally sponsored 'Housing for All' urban scheme for the 2025-26 fiscal. Finally, the cabinet cleared a rule to include in-building 5G communication solutions in the project cost of new govt buildings, enabling future-ready infrastructure.
