Union Civil Aviation and Steel Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia, along with General (Dr) VK Singh (Retd) Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Road Transport and Highways, inaugurated multiple flights to expand connectivity to Northeast India region on Tuesday.
The Civil Aviation Ministry stated in a release that the new flights connect Mumbai-Itanagar via Kolkata, Dibrugarh-Itanagar, Itanagar-Ziro and Itanagar to Passighat.
This enhanced connectivity in the Northeastern region of India will help bolster tourism and trade in the region and contribute to the economic development of the states, it stated.
In his inaugural address, Scindia said the Modi government has given unprecedented priority to the Northeastern states.
"It is the vision of the Prime Minster to provide air connectivity to each corner of the country and we are working in collaboration with each state to materialise it. Not only the major cities but the advanced landing grounds in remote areas of tier 2 and tier 3 cities will also be connected," he said.
Appreciating the Arunachal Pradesh government for reducing the VAT on ATF, Scindia said that it has resulted in rapid increase in air connectivity. He also assured that VijayNagar, Mechuka, and Tuting are under development and will be connected soon.
According to the ministry, the Itanagar-Mumbai-Itanagar flights via Kolkata will be operated by Indigo. The Dibrugarh-Itanagar-Ziro flights will be operated by Alliance Air twice weekly. The Dibrugarh-Itanagar-Passighat flights will also be operated by Alliance Air twice weekly.
According to the ministry, Itanagar City, which is located 15 km from Donyi Polo Airport is ideal for adventure activities. Other than fishing and rafting, trekking is a well-liked sport in the city. Fort Itanagar is one of the most well-known tourist destinations in Arunachal Pradesh, but the city is also home to the Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum, Buddha Temple, Ganga Lake, and numerous more well-liked tourist attractions.
The inaugurations were attended by Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of Law and Justice, Rameswar Teli, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Labour and Employment, Chowna Mein, Deputy Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh, Nakap Nalo, Minister of Civil Aviation, Tourism and Transport, Arunachal Pradesh, Tapir Gao, MP Lok Sabha, Dola Sen, MP Rajya Sabha, Prof Sougata Ray, MP Lok Sabha, Pasang Dorjee Sona, Speaker, Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Chau Zingnu Namchoom, MLA, Jummum Ete Deori, MLA, Tana Hali Tara, MLA, Doimukh, Kaling Moyong, MLA, Pasighat East, Tame Phassang, Mayor.
In addition, Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Vikram Dev Dutt, CMD, AIAHL, Mritunjaya Sharma, Deputy Secretary, MOCA, RK Singh, Principal Advisor to Managing Director, IndiGo, Vineet Sood, CEO, Alliance Air, and other dignitaries from MoCA, IndiGo, Alliance Air, and local administration from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mumbai, and Kolkata were also present, the release added.
