Latest news with #UdeDeshkaAamNagrik


Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urges Centre to expedite civil aviation projects
Shimla: Chief minister on Wednesday urged Union minister of civil aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu to expedite pending issues related to the civil aviation sector in Himachal Pradesh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The request was made through a formal letter following discussions held during Sukhu's recent visit to New Delhi. In the letter, the CM highlighted the proposed expansion of Kangra Airport, for which the state government is in the process of acquiring approximately 150 hectares of land. Awards amounting to over Rs 1,900 crore have been prepared, and Rs 410 crore has already been disbursed. With the statutory one-year period for land acquisition ending next month, Sukhu requested the ministry to recommend the project to the ministry of finance and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) for special central assistance. Sukhu also raised concerns about the techno-economic feasibility report of Kangra Airport, prepared by a private firm, stating that the estimated costs were on the higher side. He urged the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to review the report to arrive at a more realistic cost assessment. He also proposed exploring a tripartite agreement involving AAI, the state government, and a private partner to facilitate the airport's expansion. The CM pointed out that Kangra Airport currently operates under visual flight rules (VFR), which require a minimum visibility of five kilometres. He recommended introducing special VFR operations to reduce the visibility requirement to 2.5 km, enabling flight operations during low-visibility conditions. Given that Kangra is the largest and busiest airport in the state, Sukhu also called for the installation of night landing facilities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sukhu also requested the deployment of state police for airport security at Kullu and Shimla airports, similar to the arrangement at Kangra Airport, replacing the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). He also sought an extension of watch hours at Shimla Airport from 1 pm to 4 pm to allow a broader window for flight operations. To enhance infrastructure at Shimla Airport, the CM urged the provision of a second apron suitable for ATR 42/600 aircraft, which would support increased and simultaneous flight operations. He also called for the resumption of daily flights on the Shimla-Dharamshala-Shimla sector by Alliance Air. Sukhu requested operational authorisation for heliports at Sanjauli, Rampur, Baddi, and Kangnidhar by Oct this year. He added that under the Udan (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity scheme's second phase, four additional heliports should be sanctioned at Jaskot in Hamirpur, Dehra in Kangra, and one each in Una and Bilaspur districts to boost air connectivity. He noted that air operators such as Heritage Aviation, Global Vectra, and Pawan Hans Ltd would be directed to operationalise their routes under the Udan scheme.


Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt signs pact with AAI for 6 new airports in state
Patna: The Bihar govt and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday for the development of six regional airports across the state under the Centre's UDAN scheme . The signing ceremony, held at Bihar Niwas in New Delhi, was attended by chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena, resident commissioner Kundan Kumar and special secretary of the cabinet secretariat and director of civil aviation Nilesh Ramchandra Deore. The new airports will be developed at Madhubani, Birpur (Supaul), Munger, Valmikinagar (West Champaran), Muzaffarpur and Saharsa. The state cabinet, led by CM Nitish Kumar, had already approved the plan. An initial Rs 150 crore has been sanctioned with Rs 25 crore allocated for each site in the first phase. Civil enclaves and associated infrastructure will be created for operations. "This MoU is a majort step towards enhancing regional connectivity in Bihar. It will not only boost the state's transport infrastructure but also unlock new opportunities for development and investment," said Meena. The resident commissioner added, "This agreement will elevate regional air services in Bihar and accelerate the synergy between the Centre and the state." The initiative aligns with the Centre's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, aimed at making air travel accessible in underserved regions. Under the broader national plan, India intends to build 50 new airports over five years, targeting a total of over 350 by 2047. The proposed facilities in Bihar will accommodate 19-seater aircraft, enhancing access to remote regions of the state. Officials said improved air connectivity would benefit areas currently lacking such infrastructure, driving tourism, commercial activity and employment generation.


The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Bihar Cabinet gives nod to sign MoU with AAI to develop six small airports under UDAN scheme
The Bihar Cabinet on Tuesday approved the signing of an MoU between Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the State government for developing six small airports under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme in the State. The airports that would be developed are Madhubani, Birpur (Supaul), Munger, Valmikinagar (West Champaran), Muzaffarpur and Saharsa. The decision would pave the way for building airports and related infrastructure necessary for the development of these six airports, Cabinet Secretariat Department's Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) S. Siddharth said. The Cabinet has sanctioned initial allotment of ₹25 crore each for the development of six airports. Earlier this month, the Cabinet also reduced the rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) rate from 29% to 4% on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), which would enable the aircrafts to refuel at Patna. The decision was taken to increase the numbers of flights and make the state competitive on par with neighbouring States. Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated Patna airport's new terminal built at the cost of ₹1,200 crore to boost tourism and handle one crore passengers annually. He had also laid the foundation for ₹1,410 crore civil enclave at Bihta Airport. . . The Cabinet also approved the extension of contract period for financial year 2025-26 for 1,717 Special Auxiliary Police (SAP) personnel. These SAP personnel are retired Indian Army personnel. The Cabinet also gave its nod to the transfer of 70.5 acres of land to Industries department, Bihar, Patna for the development of an industrial area. The land falls in Amnour circle of Saran district. r.
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Business Standard
17-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Bihar Cabinet decisions: 6 new airports, MSP for chana, pulses, and more
The Bihar Cabinet has approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the state government for the development of six small airports under the 'Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik' (UDAN) scheme. The airports identified for development are in Madhubani, Veerpur, Munger, Valmikinagar, Muzaffarpur, and Saharsa. The Cabinet has sanctioned an initial allocation of ₹25 crore for each airport to support infrastructure development. According to the Bihar Cabinet Secretariat Department's Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) S Siddharth, the decision will enable the development of necessary infrastructure at these locations. MSP declared for chickpeas, lentil, mustard The Cabinet approved the Food and Consumer Protection Department's proposal for procurement of pulses and oilseeds at Minimum Support Price (MSP). MSP for the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2025–26 has been fixed as follows: Chana (chickpeas): ₹5,650 per quintal Masoor (lentil): ₹6,700 per quintal Mustard: ₹5,950 per quintal Five-star hotel to replace Hotel Patliputra Ashok In another decision, the Cabinet approved the allotment of a 'letter of award' to Kumar Infratrade Enterprises Pvt Ltd, Patna, for constructing a five-star hotel on the land of Hotel Patliputra Ashok. The hotel will be developed under a 60-year lease in PPP mode, with the lease tenure extendable by another 30 years. The company will deposit an amount based on the minimum value register (MVR) and annual lease deed fee. This will be the first of three five-star hotels planned in the city. Bidding for the other two—at the Bankipore bus stand and Sultan Palace—is underway. Rules for compassionate appointments updated The Cabinet approved the Bihar Rajya Vidyalaya Lipik (Niyukti, Sewashart evam Anushashnik Karwai) rules. Under this, wards of deceased teaching and non-teaching staff may be appointed on compassionate grounds. Fifty per cent of sanctioned posts will be filled through this provision, while the remaining 50 per cent will be filled by direct recruitment. SAP contract extension for 1,717 personnel The contracts for 1,717 Special Auxiliary Police (SAP) personnel, all retired members of the Indian Army, have been extended for the financial year 2025–26. Sand deposit study sanctioned in five rivers Approval was given to the Mines and Geology Department for a replenishment study of the Sone, Kiul, Falgu, Morhar, and Chanan rivers. This study, to be conducted by the Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI), will assess sand deposits after the monsoon. The findings will guide sand mining permissions in line with District Mines Survey Reports. The project has been allocated ₹2.58 crore. Land allocated for industrial area in Saran The Cabinet approved the transfer of 70.5 acres of land in Arna (Mauja), Amnour circle, Saran district to the Industries Department for the development of an industrial area.