Air traffic is very important to increase tourism, so increase air connectivity: Chief Minister Dr. Yadav

Bhopal: Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that smooth air connectivity is a basic need to give new dimensions to tourism in the state. Increase air connectivity in every possible way, so that tourists can easily visit Madhya Pradesh and observe its rich historical heritage. Mutual harmony is very important for this. The Aviation Department should make efforts to increase air connectivity in collaboration with the Culture, Tourism and Medical Departments. The government will provide every necessary facility and help to develop Madhya Pradesh as a regional aviation hub. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav gave these instructions in the review meeting of the Aviation Department at Samatva Bhavan (Chief Minister’s residence) on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the general public faces problems due to traffic being stopped during VVIP and VIP movement. Therefore, for a permanent solution to this problem, a new helipad should be constructed near the Secretariat (Vallabh Bhawan) and the Chief Minister’s residence. This will save time and also remove everyone’s difficulties. Chief Secretary Mr. Anurag Jain, Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office Dr. Rajesh Rajoura, Additional Chief Secretary Aviation Mr. Sanjay Kumar Shukla, Commissioner Aviation Mr. Chandramouli Shukla, Deputy Secretary Dr. Kailash Bundela, Mr. Dinesh Sonkesaria, Captain Mr. Vishwas Rai and other senior officials of the Aviation Department were present in the meeting.

In the meeting, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh has immense possibilities of self-feeling/healing tourism in the form of religious tourism, medical tourism, cultural tourism and homestay promotion for connecting with tribal culture. He directed the departmental officers to prepare infrastructure in accordance with the possibilities of new employment generation in the aviation sector and to run employment-oriented diploma and degree courses in pilot-crew members training institutes for skill development of youth. He said that the number of pilots should be increased for the increasing aviation needs in the state. Recruit new pilots and also train them.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that to increase domestic flights from all the big cities of the state including Bhopal, coordinate with other states and also conduct research for expansion of aviation facilities. To increase air connectivity in the state, connect aviation companies, training institutes of pilots and crew members and request them to expand their services in the state. He said that to prepare pilots and crew, universities of the state should also be encouraged to run this employment oriented course. Request the university to educate students in this direction. The government will provide airstrip to train the students.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the government is also going to inaugurate Satna and Datia airports soon. Both these cities are ancient centers of religious tourism. Having an airport here will further promote religious tourism in the state. He directed the departmental officials to activate all these active helipads available in the state as soon as possible. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that all efforts should be made to ensure that everyone gets the benefit of air ambulance and heli service.

Additional Chief Secretary Aviation Mr. Shukla informed that the number of air passengers in the state is continuously increasing. In the financial year 2023-24, about 55 lakh passengers traveled from the airports of the state and this number is estimated to reach 75 lakh by the end of the current financial year (31 March 25). The share of airports of Madhya Pradesh in India’s air traffic is currently only 1.45 percent, which we are working on the target of increasing to 5 percent. He informed that there are currently 8 airports in the state, 6 are functional and the inauguration of Satna and Datia airports is yet to be done. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav directed to expand the runway of Satna airport (increasing the current 1200 meters to 1800 meters).

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was told that the process of land acquisition is being started for the development of new airports in Ujjain and Shivpuri. The officials also informed that action is also underway for the development and expansion of the aspiring airstrips available in Ujjain, Singrauli, Sagar (Dhana), Neemuch, Shivpuri, Chhindwara, Mandla, Khandwa and Ratlam in the state which have been found to be of high capacity/commercially viable in Grade-1 and Birwa (Balaghat), Pachmarhi, Guna, Khargaon, Mandsaur, Seoni, Sidhi, Panna, Jhabua, Shahdol and Umaria in Grade-2.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the government has implemented the new Civil Aviation Policy- 2025 with the goal of making Madhya Pradesh a regional aviation hub and connecting every district of the state with air traffic of the country and abroad. For this, airports/airstrips/helipads will be developed in all the districts. Along with this, special emphasis will also be laid on the development of air cargo facilities to give impetus to the agriculture and industry sector. This will accelerate the socio-economic development of the state. He said that with the expansion of air travel, citizens will enjoy modern, cheap, accessible, safe and convenient air travel. We will also set up new pilot training centers in the state, so that the trained workforce can be met as per the need in the aviation sector and the youth of Madhya Pradesh get employment.

Additional Chief Secretary Aviation Mr. Shukla informed that the new Civil Aviation Policy-2025 of the state is getting good results. New aviation companies and training institutes are looking to expand their services here by joining the state. He informed that at present no aircraft is available in the government fleet. Purchase order has been given to the manufacturing company to purchase a new double engine jet aircraft. The new aircraft will be available by May 2026. Similarly, a contract has been signed with the manufacturing company on 6 March 2025 for the supply of new double engine helicopters in the state. The new helicopter will be available to the government in January 2027. He informed that direct flights are available from Bhopal to 12 cities and from Indore to 22 cities. 11 flight training institutes are working in the state for skill development. India’s first helicopter training institute is working in Khajuraho. Three airports of the state, Bhopal, Indore and Jabalpur have been included in the Krishi Udan Yojana of the Government of India for smooth transportation of perishable goods.