Bhubaneswar: In light of rapid industrialisation and surge in operation of domestic and international flights in Odisha, the Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited (UCCIL) has sought daily direct flight services between Bhubaneswar and Guwahati.
In a letter to the chairman of the Airport Authority of India (AAI), the UCCIL said the daily flights between the capital cities of Odisha and Assam would not only give a major boost to tourism sector but also general industrial scenario.
Since, India is expanding the outreach of “Act East policy” by adding neighbouring countries Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, the direct flights would contribute to development of eastern and north-eastern states.
Assam is a land of natural beauty, having two UNESCO World Heritage sites of Kaziranga National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and Kamakhya temple, which is one of the most revered Shakti shrines in the country.
Similarly, Odisha is known for its cultural heritage with Jagannath temple at Puri where devotees from all over the world congregate to witness the annual Rath Yatra. Besides, the state has many attractive Buddhist and Jain sites. The flight services can prove to be a facilitating factor for cultural tourism between the two states, the letter said.
“The Assam government has opened the Act East Policy Department to ensure the implementation of Act East Policy in a time-bound manner. The department will facilitate an environment for investment and rapid industrialisation in the state. Thus, the entrepreneurs from Odisha will also get a chance to expand their business in northeast states,” the UCCIL said.
“We would request to kindly consider our request at the earliest in greater interest of the industrial fraternity of the eastern part of the country and economic growth of the country as a whole,” the Chamber added.
The UCCIL is the apex chamber in Odisha comprising members from three sectors of the economy i.e., Industry, Trade and Services, including mega, large, medium, small and micro enterprises. It has more than 800 active members and has completed 61 years.
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