Gujarat to boost its regional connectivity
Q. Gujarat has signed an MoU with the Aviation Ministry for regional connectivity under which scheme?- Published on 02 Sep 16a. Gujarat Connectivity Scheme
b. Gujarat Regional Connectivity Scheme
c. Regional Connectivity Scheme
d. None of the above
ANSWER: Regional Connectivity Scheme
Gujarat has signed an MoU with Aviation Ministry for regional connectivity. To boost regional air connectivity by developing small airports and airstrips attracting domestic airlines, Gujarat state government signed an MoU with the Ministry of Civil Aviation under the Regional Connectivity Scheme.
- With this Gujarat became the third state after Maharashtra and Jharkhand to have signed such an agreement with the Centre to boost regional connectivity.
- As per the agreement signed between both the parties, 11 airports in Gujarat will redeveloped as per the agreement and the RCS Scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation
- 11 airports include Bhavnagar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Surat, Porbandar, Mehsana, Mandvi, Amreli, Kandla, Keshod and Deesa.
- MoU between the state and the centre will provide benefits such as regional air connectivity linked to economic development.
- Apart from developing infrastructure at these airports under the RCS scheme, certain subsidies will be provided to airline operators to commence operation here. Three to four such operators are in contact with us
- A key component of the subsidy is in the form of cheaper Aviation Turbine Fuel.
- Cost of ATF is a major issue for operators and state government will need to bring down the cost by reducing the VAT charged by them.
- Airports in Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Porbandar are ready to commence operations.
