The Civil Aviation Ministry has in-principle agreed to commence international flights from Chhattisgarh's Raipur airport.
"The consent was given by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju during his meeting with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh," said a press release issued by the state government.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister informed Raju that the new airport in Raipur excels in all parameters required for operating international flights, it said.
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Stressing on the need to transform Raipur's Swami Vivekananda airport into an international airport, Singh said air traffic in Chhattisgarh has rapidly increased in the past five years as the state has been "progressing very fast" in service sector and houses biggest industrial plants.
Mentioning the Centre's proposal in the budget for building airports in new towns, the Chief Minister urged the ministry to build airports in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur, Jagdalpur and Ambikapur and commence air services.
He said the state government has reduced VAT from 25 per cent to 5 per cent in order to encourage airlines to commence flights from various towns in Chhattisgarh.
Raman Singh also demanded more number of Air India flights from the state.
The Chief Minister, who was in the national capital for two-day visit, also had a meeting with BJP President Amit Shah here today.
