The state government is now going to start Uttarakhand air connectivity scheme on the lines of the Central Government’s Udaan scheme. Under this scheme, various cities of the country and abroad will be connected to the state government of Uttarakhand. Apart from selecting these routes, the state government itself will be able to invite proposals from air and heli companies to operate on them. The fare on these routes will be decided by a committee constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. However, it will be mandatory to take permission from DGCA to start air or heli service on these routes.
This is the objective of the government
The government aims to start air services to Kathmandu, Ayodhya, Varanasi and Amritsar under this scheme. At present, airplanes can operate only at selected airports in the state. Only heli services can operate for the places of natural beauty in the hilly areas of the state. There are more than 125 helipads in the state, which can play an important role in establishing connectivity to inaccessible areas. With the smooth functioning of heli services here, doors for tourism, trade and development can open. In view of this, the state government has decided to start Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Scheme.
State government will bear the cost of VGF
This scheme is based on the Central Government’s UDAN i.e. Regional Connectivity Scheme and International Connectivity Scheme. Under this scheme, the subsidy given on operation of air services i.e. Viability Gap Funding (VGF) will be borne by the state government. This scheme will be operated till the year 2029. The origin or destination of the route selected under the scheme will be in the state of Uttarakhand.
High level committee will implement the scheme
There will be a high level committee for the implementation of the scheme, which will decide on the route and fare and operation of air or heli service on the route. This committee, to be formed under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, will have six members. Secretary Civil Aviation will act as the convenor of this committee. The same Secretary Finance, CEO UCADA, representative of AAI will play the role of members in it. Another member or invited members will be appointed as per the approval of the Chairman.
