TBM Staff - Mumbai The Rajasthan government is planning to develop 23 old airstrips on a public-private partnership mode where chartered and smaller flights can land, Tourism Minister Vishvendra Singh said.
Addressing the G20 Tourism Expo in Jaipur hosted at luxury heritage hotel, he also exhorted all participants to go back as “ambassadors of Rajasthan tourism”.
“Under the guidance and leadership of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, we are planning to put out 23 old airstrips on a PPT (public-private partnership mode) where chartered flights linkage can be provided directly,” Singh said.
Singh also holds the portfolio of civil aviation in the state cabinet.
Citing an example of Kishangarh airport, he said that after the operationalisation of flights to this airport, a lot of crowd has got diverted from the main airport.
So, people going to Ajmer or those going for ‘ziyarat’ are going through Kishangarh airport, the minister said.
When asked about the status of this plan, he said that it was “in the pipeline and, soon, it will be done”.
“We plan to give these airstrips on a PPP mode, so investment will be from the private sector. And, we (state) will take a certain percentage of the landing and taking off charges. So, it will enhance connectivity,” said Singh.
Asked if these 23 airstrips have been identified, he said they are all existing ones, including those from the colonial era or those made by former rulers.
In response to another inquiry, he said, the arrangement should be such that chartered flights and smaller flights can land at these airstrips. (Source moneycontrol.com)
