Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh has urged the Uttar Pradesh government to facilitate the handing over of the Jhansi airport to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for tourism development in Bundelkhand.
Jhansí Airport, which was under the control Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was handed over to the erstwhile National Airports Authority (now AAI) in 1986.
“At the instance of the state government, the airport was handed over for maintenance to the UP government. I understand the state without the concurrence/coordìnation with AAI handed over the air field to the Army in 1990,” a letter written recently by Singh to UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav reads.
It mentions that considering the “emerging industrial and tourism potential,” Jhansi airport could be developed for civil operations to cater the needs of Bundelkhand, which would help economic and social development of the region.
Singh said for developing the airport and ensuring connectivity, it was proposed that UP considered handing over Jhansi airport back to AAI to cater for ATR type of aircraft operations to fulfill the “local aspirations” and overall development of the region.
AAI had planned to take up the development of the airport in phases and accordingly projected the land requirement to UP. Total land requested was 20 acres for runway extension and other works in Phase I and additional 40 acres for ultimate development.
Earlier, Singh had written similar letters to Yadav regarding Agra and Meerut airports on October 12. He had mentioned that Agra, which attracted millions of backpackers, has become a most sought after tourist destination and most tourists preferred travel by air.
Currently, Agra is served with an airport belonging to Indian Air Force (IAF) and AAI maintains a Civil Enclave. Despite best efforts, AAI could not carry out expansion for up-gradation of the civil enclave due to 1and constraints and “reluctance of IAF” to part with their land, his letter had stated.
