Amravati-Pune flight included in revised UDAN scheme; efforts begin for Indore service

There is good news for the people of Amravati. Hopes of a flight from Amravati to Pune starting have revived. A press note says the route has been included in the revised UDAN scheme. Rajya Sabha MP Dr Anil Bonde is said to have pursued the service persistently.

Meanwhile, moves have also begun to start a flight from Amravati airport to Indore. This has raised hopes for air connectivity in western Vidarbha. Direct flights could give a boost to education, trade, tourism and industry, and could also give a new direction to the development of western Vidarbha.

Pune is a major centre of education, IT, industry and trade. Students, businesspeople, industrialists and salaried people from western Vidarbha, including Amravati, have to travel to Pune for various purposes. At present they have to depend on railways and private buses. During festivals, passengers face difficulty because of crowding. If a direct flight starts, travel time will be saved and people could get a faster and easier option.

The Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) has taken the initiative to start a flight from Amravati-Belora airport to Indore. Deepak Kapoor, vice-chairman and managing director of the company, said in information shared on social media that letters have been sent to three airlines: IndiGo, Star Air and Fly91. However, the official date for when the Indore flight will actually start has not yet been announced.

At present, a Mumbai-Amravati-Mumbai flight operates from Belora airport four days a week. Passengers are demanding regular flights to Pune, Delhi and Indore as well. Although the inclusion of the Amravati-Pune route in the revised UDAN scheme has come to light, an official announcement is awaited on when the service will actually start, which airline will operate it, what the timetable will be and what the fares will be. People in Amravati are therefore watching for the next decisions on expanding air connectivity.

Indore is an important business centre of central India. Many traders and industrialists from Amravati have to travel to Indore. At present they have to go by road, while travelling by rail involves a long detour. If a direct flight starts, it will save time for traders, industrialists and tourists and could help strengthen the economic ties between the two cities.