TBM Staff - Mumbai The Lok Sabha has passed the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024, which seeks to modernize India’s aviation sector by replacing the 90-year-old Aircraft Act of 1934. This new legislation aims to streamline business transactions in the aviation industry, making it one of the key initiatives as India’s civil aviation sector continues to be among the fastest-growing in the world.
The Aircraft Act, 1934, which had undergone 21 amendments over the decades, will be replaced by this Bill, which is designed to address existing inconsistencies between various aviation regulations. The new Bill introduces a logical regulatory framework with clearly defined chapters and clauses to eliminate redundancies.
Union Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, who introduced the Bill, emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving airfare-related issues. He announced plans to establish an efficient online grievance redressal system to address passenger complaints promptly.
The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 also introduces regulations for aircraft design and manufacturing, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Naidu highlighted that the Bill aims to foster technological advancements and enhance domestic production capacities, contributing to India’s self-reliance in the aviation sector. The legislation also focuses on the expansion of the helicopter sector, with approximately 250 helicopters currently in service in India.
During the debate, Naidu addressed criticisms regarding the language used in the Bill, clarifying that while the majority of the text is in English, only a small portion is in Hindi. He dismissed accusations of linguistic imposition and underscored the inclusivity of the legislation, reaffirming the government’s respect for all Indian languages.
Naidu also discussed the accomplishments of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), which has introduced over 500 air connections across India. Acknowledging challenges such as airlines withdrawing from certain routes after three years, he suggested that the government might re-bid these routes to maintain the momentum of regional connectivity.
The Minister further stressed the importance of airport infrastructure for state development, urging swift resolution of infrastructure-related issues. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between federal and state governments to acquire and develop land for airports, warning that delays could lead to significant complications.
The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 was passed by a voice vote in the Lok Sabha.
