Air service between Doon to Pantnagar shortly

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

The Union government’s Udan scheme will finally become a reality in Uttarakhand shortly. As Air Deccan is going to start its services between Dehradun and Pantnagar with an 18 seater aircraft by February. Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already given its nod for this.

With the start of the service, the common man will fly on subsidised rates and tourists keen on visiting the hilly terrain too will be able to travel in less time to far-flung places.  “We will start the services in the last week of February and the DGCA has already given its approval,” said Trivendra Singh Rawat, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand.

An air fuel station (AFS) will also be established at Pantnagar. Further, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) also has to install the Instrument Landing System (ILS) which will allow night landing and landing in low visibility conditions.

The government is already a signatory to the centres Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN) under which in the selected airports for 10 years, VATon the ATF will be charged at 1 per cent. Further, the state will provide essential services such as water and power at nominal rates at the airstrips/helipads etc. The state will bear 20 per cent of the cost for running the scheme as agreed upon in the MOU signed with the Centre in 2016