Chhattisgarh is making all efforts to expand air connectivity and airports, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Monday.
He was speaking after virtually flagging off the flight from the Bilasa Devi Kenwat Airport, Bilaspur, from here. Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia did the honour from New Delhi.
Baghel said the Bilaspur airport has been upgraded to 3-C VFR (Visual Flight Rules) category by the state government.
The state spent Rs.25.10 crore to develop the Bilaspur airport and making it functional. With increasing flights and passengers from there, approval has been given to expand the capacity of the existing terminal building, he said.
He said approval has been given for works costing Rs 22 crore to prepare Bilaspur airport as per 3-C IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) standard and to develop night landing facility.
To instal PBN (Performance Based Navigation) navigation system for smooth operation of aircraft from the airport, the amount has been paid by the state government to the Airport Authority of India, he said.
Similarly, administrative approval has been issued for works worth Rs 48 crore for runway development and expansion and development works for Ambikapur airport. It will help it to bring it under the 3-C VFR category. Airport development work is going on rapidly. The target is to apply for its licensing by December 31, 2022.