(a) whether the Government has discontinued air services from various airports in the country including Dhanbad airport, Jharkhand;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposes to take up the expansion work of the Dhanbad airport again;
(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard alongwith the time by which it is likely to be done?
MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI AJIT SINGH )
(a) and (b): No Madam. Government has laid down route dispersal guidelines with a view to achieve better regulation of air transport services taking into account the need for air transport services of different regions of the country including North-East region. 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 Government.
(c): Airport Authority of India (AAI) has not received any request from State Government or any airline operator for development of Dhanbad Airport. Hence, AAI has no plan for development of the airport.
(d) and (e): Does not arise, in view of the reply of (c) above.