No takers for MP airstrips despite govt efforts

Unused airstrips in Madhya Pradesh have no takers, though the state government has made efforts to invite private aviation companies to use these. As many as 13 of a total 22 airstrips in Madhya Pradesh are unused and are in need of improvement and repair.

"Except for Ventura Airconnect, a private aviation company, none came forward, as the airstrips are either in possession of private companies or are owned by the Centre," a government source told Business Standard.

Two years ago, the Madhya Pradesh government had made efforts to invite private companies to ferry small aircraft on these airstrips.

"None came forward since private investors want ready-to-use airstrips. Only Ventura came forward but it does not operate in small stops like Pachmarhi, Satna etc.," the source added.

Ventura operates, through a viability gap funding, single-engine aircraft in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior. "Tier-II towns or tourist destinations are far from figuring in private operators' plans," the source said adding, "The state government has spent Rs 8.89 lakh on maintenance of the Amarwaha airstrip in Sidhi district and Rs 4.95 lakh on Umaria over the last few years."

Among tier-two towns where airstrips are unutilised or seldom used, but are in possession of private companies, are Nagda (near Ujjain) owned by Grasim Industries of the Aditya Birla Group; Lalapur (Shahdol district) is a property of Orient Paper Mills; Damoh is in possession of Diamond Cement; and Takenpur is in possession of the Border Security Force.