Samikhsya Bureau, Raipur
Chhatisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has sought Centre’s assistance in improving better air connectivity for his state with special emphasis on Bilaspur.
Bilaspur is billed as the commercial capital of the state.
The Chief Minister has recently written to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation urging connectivity between Bilaspur with the major cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
Baghel, in his letter to Minister Hardeep Puri has pointed out that Bilaspur is a major hub of trade and commerce in the northern region of Chhattisgarh. It also connects the northern districts of the state. Hence, better air connectivity to Bilaspur would boost the economy of the state in a big way, the CM has mentioned.
Elaborating the importance of Bilaspur, the CM has stated that the city houses headquarters of the South Eastern Coal Field Limited and the South East Central Railway Zone apart from Raipur Railway Division.
Moreover, Bilaspur has been an important power production centre of the nation with proximity of NTPC at Seepat and several other power production plants in Korba, Janjgir and Champa. A number of industrial areas that have major contribution to the state’s economy are also situated near Bilaspur, the letter explained.
Bilaspur’s better air connectivity with the three major metros of the country will not only boost the state’s economy but also contribute largely the country’s economy through trade, commerce, tourism, and health sectors, it added.
Upon the Chief Minister’s persistent persuasion with the Centre, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has sanctions Rs.108-crore for up-gradation of three of the state’s airports under the UDAN scheme.
While Rs.48-crore have been allotted for Jagdalpur and Rs.27-crore for Ambikapur, Bilaspur Airport has received Rs.33-crore for Bilaspur Airport.
Similarly, the Airports Authority of India has planned for an investment of nearly Rs.900-crore to develop and expand Raipur Airport.
