Flights from Surat airport to take off on July 18

Air Deccan will begin operating the Mumbai-Surat-Bhavnagar from Surat airport from July 18, said district collector, Pankaj Joshi.

He was speaking at a function organised at The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry, on Wednesday.

"Good infrastructure is of utmost importance for development of any city. Air Deccan is starting the Mumbai-Surat-Bhavnagar flight from July 18, for which all the necessary procedures have been completed. We believe this will be the first step towards fulfilling the dream of having a world-class airport in Surat," Joshi said.

"The work for expanding and strengthening the runway at the airport will be completed by April 2005. Night-landing facility and construction of the new terminal building will also be completed by October next year," Joshi added.

Speaking about the Trade Centre Project, Joshi revealed that the he will hold a meeting with the District Revenue Department on Saturday.

"We have organised a meeting with District Revenue Department to discuss issues such as land allotment for the trade centre, on Saturday (July 17). The basic work would be completed shortly, which would pave the way for starting work on the project on full swing," he said.

Joshi also appealed industrialists to set up units in the Apparel Park, as it would give a new direction to Surat's textile industry.

He also called upon diamond traders to initiate efforts for developing the proposed Gem & Jewellery Park at Ichhapore. The local industry has given a cautious welcome to the decision to start flights from Surat Airport.

Dilip Chasmawala, the chamber vice president, said, "It has been a long wait for us. We welcome the decision of Air Deccan to start the Mumbai-Surat-Bhavnagar flight. But this is not enough. Efforts should be made to start direct flights from Surat to big cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai. Once this happens, we have no doubt that Surat will become the second busiest airport in the western region after Mumbai."

Pravin Nanavati, a leading diamond businessman, said, "We are happy that operations from Surat Airport will begin soon. International connectivity as well as connectivity with major cities in the country are, however, a must for the airport to prove beneficial to the local industries and steps need to be taken for the same."

Pramod Chaudhary, a leading textiles exporter, said, "The Mumbai-Surat-Bhavnagar flight is not enough. The local industries do not want connectivity with Mumbai or Bhavnagar as it will not serve any purpose. The industry require direct flights from Surat to Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Jaipur, Chennai and Hyderabad.

"I am confident that once Surat airport becomes operational, the pace of development will increase manifolds and there will be no stopping Surat," he added.