Proposal to use Army airbase for civil flights gathers dust

Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation's (MIDC) proposal to use the Gandhinagar Army airbase for civilian use is gathering dust at the Defence Ministry for the last one-and-a-half year.

Air Deccan, which has already wound up its Nashik-Mumbai service due to poor response at Ozhar, is reportedly planning to restart its air service, but from Gandhinagar Army airbase here.

Air Deccan had started a 48-seater Nashik-Mumbai flight from Ozhar in March 2005. But, the air service was discontinued after 16 months in July 2006 due to poor response, as an average of only 15-18 people would use it daily.

As a result, Air Deccan pressured MIDC to shift the location of the airport to Gandhinagar, as the Ozhar airbase proved unviable for the airline. Besides, local industrialists, business groups and trade lobbies had also opposed the air service from Ozhar airbase.

"Thereafter, at a meeting, the then senior MIDC officials and the then Nashik Divisional (Revenue) Commissioner had decided to send a proposal in this regard to defence department through MIDC. Accordingly, MIDC had immediately sent the proposal to the defence establishment in Pune, to allow use of Gandhinagar army airbase for civil flights. No decision was taken on this issue even after MIDC's two meetings with the defence establishment in Pune. Moreover, the defence establishment had again forwarded this proposal to the defence ministry in Delhi. Since then, no decision has been taken on this proposal and it is still gathering dust for the last one-and-a-half year," according to sources.

Meanwhile, Air Deccan discontinued its Nashik-Mumbai air service after 16 months in July 2006 due to poor response at Ozhar airbase and considering impossibility in shifting the air service to Gandhinagar airbase. Air Deccan is still ready to start air service from Gandhinagar, according to sources.

Ozhar airbase is 20 km away from Nashik and it takes an hour to reach there due to heavy traffic on the National Highway No.3. On the contrary, the Gandhinagar airbase is only 6 km away from the city. It is much more convenient for air travellers as city buses, taxis and rickshaws operate frequently on this route.

During 1972-1989, the Nashik-Mumbai air service was being operated by Indian Airlines, from Gandhinagar airbase. Thereafter, Vayudoot had taken over the air service, and was operational upto 1992. The state government had again started the Nashik-Mumbai service in April 1997, operated by Span Airlines from Gandhinagar airbase.

But, this service was too discontinued in June 1997. After a span of 7 years, the Nashik-Mumbai air service was restarted in March 2005 from Ozhar airport and was again discontinued in July 2006. Since then, Nashik is waiting for the restart of the air service again.