|
Bhopal:
A new chapter is going to be added to the tourism development
sector of Madhya Pradesh. Air taxi service is going to be launched
for the first time in the state.
The air taxi service will be
inaugurated by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at 10 am
on September 7 at Bhopal's Raja Bhoj Airport. With the launch of
this air service, Madhya Pradesh will become the first state to
offer air taxi services.
In the first phase, this air service will
be between Bhopal-Indore, Bhopal-Gwalior, Bhopal-Jabalpur,
Indore-Gwalior and Indore-Jabalpur. Air taxis will fly between
these cities in the morning and evening.
In the second phase, there will be
daily flights between Gwalior-Jabalpur through which some more
tourist destinations will be linked. These include Satna,
Khajuraho, Pachmarhi, Vallabhgarh and Kanha.
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development
Corporation has carved out its distinctive image in the country
for tourist facilities. The air taxi service is being launched for
the first time in the state as per the wish of Chief Minister Chouhan to promote tourism in the state through water, terrestrial
and air routes. After introduction of this service, the passengers
travelling between cities of Madhya Pradesh to accomplish
essential works will be able to return to their destination the
same day after completing their works.
Similarly, tourists will be able to
reach various religious and tourist places near Bhopal, Indore,
Gwalior and Jabalpur quickly through this air service. Tourism
activities can be promoted further at places like, Pench and
Kanha-Kisli and Bandhavgarh National Parks near Jabalpur.
Likewise, one will be able to reach Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain) and
Omkareshwar religious places near Indore quickly. Besides,
tourists can also enjoy services of national and international
flights from Indore.
Agreement for air service through
private sector
The Tourism Corporation is
undertaking works in new areas. In this context, the State
Government took the initiative of introducing air connectivity
through private sector between major cities of the state for
giving a fillip to tourism in the state. Under the initiative, an
agreement was signed by the State Tourism Corporation with private
sector company Messrs. Ventura Air Connect Private Limited. The
company has provided a nine-seater aircraft at Bhopal. Soon,
another nine-seater plane will be added to this series.
There is long geographical distance
between Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur. Except Bhopal, there
is High Court and its benches in rest of these major cities.
Important offices of the State Government are situated in Bhopal.
Apart from general passengers, tourists from India and abroad also
require air services.
With a view to giving permanency to
the air services, the State Government has made a provision in the
agreement that maximum three seats in every sector will be
underwritten if passengers are not available in adequate numbers.
For this, they will be paid full fare and government officers will
be able to undertake travel. The State Government will compensate
for VAT on the aviation turbine fuel bought by the company in the
state for five years.
(pervezbari@eth.net)
|
Comments
|
Quick links