Connect Asean capitals from Guwahati: Sonowal urges Raju

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday requested Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju to extend the UDAN scheme to Guwahati to connect the capitals of Asean and South Asian countries.

Sonowal met Raju in Delhi and said Guwahati can become a regional aviation hub considering the fact the Asean and South Asian countries' capitals are within two hours' flying time from Guwahati.

"We propose that UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme may be tweaked to cover all destinations within two hours flying time from Guwahati, making the capital city as the regional aviation hub. This will also help realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for northeast as the new engine of new India and in the light of Act East Policy," Sonowal told Gajapathi Raju.

The Chief Minister contended this single modification in the scheme would be a true action on the Act East Policy, bringing huge economic benefits to the northeast.

"The vision of the Prime Minister for northeast as the new engine of new India will be actualised with this step as it will boost trade and tourism in the region in an unprecedented way," he said .

Sonowal requested Raju to give the go-ahead for the same before the Global Investment Summit scheduled from February 3 next year in Guwahati to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

The Civil Aviation Minister said the Ministry would examine the proposal and consider bringing in a new scheme for air connectivity with the Asean and South Asian countries from Guwahati.

--IANS

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