Bhubaneswar: Flight services between Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda under Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme is expected to begin from September this year, chief secretary A P Padhi told mediapersons after the first State Level Monitoring-cum-Coordination Committee meeting on Wednesday.
The committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the chief secretary, involving Home, Police, Airports Authority of India (AAI), representatives from regional connectivity airlines and oil companies, for ensuring effective implementation of the scheme.
“We need some time for preparations before Jeypore, Rourkela and Utkela routes are opened up. The Jepore and Utkela routes will be made operational in another month or two,” he said.
According to available information, five airstrips in Odisha have been selected for inclusion under UDAN scheme. From among these, Biju Patanaik International Air Port in Bhubaneswar will work as mentor airport. The other 4 airstrips are located at Rourkela, Jharsuguda, Utkela (Kalahandi) and Jeypore (Koraput).
Notably, a MOU on RCS-UDAN was signed among Ministry of Civil Aviation, Odisha government and AAI in March, 2017.
For the facilitating regional connectivity during initial periods, the state government has decided to reduce VAT from 5% to 1% and provide 20% of the Viable Gap Fund. The government would also provide land, security and fire services free of cost. The electricity and water would also be provided at minimum rate. The routes like Bhubaneswar to Utkela, Utklela to Raipur, Bhubaneswar to Jeypore, Bhubaneswar to Jharsuguda, Jharsuguda to Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar to Rourkela were suggested for regional connectivity.
The government decided to provide these subsidies and financial assistance to kick-up the flight operations and to keep the passenger fares at affordable level. According to initial calculations, the average price of a subsidized ticket to be paid by the passengers for these flights would be around Rs.2500.
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