(a) whether the Government proposes to link Puri, Konark, Dhauli, Ratnagiri and Udaygiri Langudi by air so that domestic as well as foreign tourists may find easy access to these places in Orissa; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
(a) whether the Government proposes to link Puri, Konark, Dhauli, Ratnagiri and Udaygiri Langudi by air so that domestic as well as foreign tourists may find easy access to these places in Orissa; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )
(a) and (b): Indian Airlines does not have sufficient number of smaller capacity aircraft to air link Puri, Konark, Dhauli, Ratnagiri and Udaygiri Langudi. Smaller capacity aircraft such as Dornier 228 and the ATR-42 aircraft available with Alliance Air are fully committed to providing vital airlink between the Lakshadweep Islands and mainland India and for exclusive deployment in the North-East respectively and cannot be deployed elsewhere. However, Government has laid down Route Dispersal Guidelines with a view to achieving better regulation of air transport services taking into account the need for air transport services of 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 and subject to Route Dispersal Guidelines.