Rajya Sabha MP Kartikeya Sharma posed a question in the Rajya Sabha on Monday regarding the number of airports opened under the UDAN scheme in Haryana, proposals for new airports, the commencement date of operations at Ambala Airport, and the air traffic from the state.
In a written reply in the Upper House, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that in the second round of UDAN bidding, the State Government of Haryana earmarked Hisar Airport for the development and operation of flights under the Regional Connectivity Scheme. RCS flights connecting Hisar to Chandigarh were initiated on January 14, 2021, by M/s Air Taxi, utilizing a 3-seater aircraft. The routes linking Hisar with Dharamshala and Dehradun began on February 8, 2021. However, the operator discontinued these flights starting from August 1, 2021, citing operational reasons.
Rs.66,21,669/- was provided as Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to the chosen airline operator for operating RCS flights, and Rs. 37.81 crore has been utilized for the development of Hisar Airport as part of the renovation and upgrade of airports, heliports, and water aerodromes. The minister further mentioned that in the 3rd round of bidding, Ambala airport, owned by the Indian Air Force (IAF), was selected to operate RCS flights. In UDAN 4.2 bidding, M/s FlyBig was awarded the RCS routes for Ambala-Srinagar-Ambala with a 19-seater aircraft. The Government of Haryana has sanctioned Rs. 25 crore for the development of the civil enclave at Ambala Airport.
The Union minister was responding to a question posed by Kartikeya Sharma. Sharma asked whether the ministry was considering taking any steps to safeguard the rights and interests of the passengers, taking into consideration some of the reported incidents when passengers were mistreated.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Monday, responding to a question posed by his fellow parliamentarian Kartikeya Sharma, that the safety and security of air passengers were the top priorities of his government.
Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha on the very first day of the winter session of Parliament, Scindia said his ministry takes immediate action, including imposing penalties, as and when any airline or airport is found guilty.
“Safety and security are the priorities of our ministry. For security, our institute, BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security), keeps a keen watch on all airports, and for safety, DGCA issues CAR (Civil Aviation Rule) so that the safety of the passengers is kept in mind. Whenever any airline or airport is found guilty, a penalty is imposed on them by the ministry,’ the minister said.
