Question : AIR SERVICES TO TOURIST DESTINATION SMALLER CITIES

(a) whether the Government proposes to start air services from major airports of the country to various tourist destinations as well as smaller towns and cities including Chakarbhatha in Bilaspur of Chhattisgarh, Devaganga Ghat in Chitrakoot and Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh and Raxaul, Bhagalpur, Kosi and Mithila regions in Bihar;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the tourist circuits identified for the purpose and the present status thereof;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any feasibility study in this regard;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which these air services are likely to be started; and

(e) whether the Government lias received any proposals from various States for construction of airports in their States including at Bhagalpur, Katihar and Muzaffarpur in Bihar and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government thereon?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri G. M, Siddeshwara)

(a) and (b): Domestic air transport services have been decontrolled & deregulated. Government has laid down route dispersal guidelines with view to achieve better connectivity to remote areas and different regions of the country. It is, however, up to the airlines to provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability. As such the airlines are free to operate anywhere in the country subject to compliance of route dispersal guidelines issued by the Government. At present, scheduled domestic carriers are operating flights to/from 73 airports in India, which include tourist destination and smaller cities. State wise air connectivity is given at Annexure-1.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): Does not arise.

(e): Yes, Sir. Details of requests received from various State Governments is given at Annexure II. No request has been received from the State Government for the development of airports at Bhagalpur, Katihar and Muzaffarpur.