Minister Vashum hardsells state's heli tourism potential
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Mamang

Ukhrul, October 20 2022: With the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) taking up various initiatives, Manipur Transport Minister Khashim Vashum expressed optimism that the same would go a long way in developing the sector in the country, with a striking impact in remote border states like Manipur.

"All these initiatives being taken up by the Ministry will surely have a profound impact in a state like Manipur.

The state is endowed with scenic natural beauty and there are lots of scopes for promoting heli-tourism with support of the Union Ministry," minister Khashim Vashum apprised the Ministry while speaking at the Civil Aviation Ministers' Conference held in New Delhi on October 17 and 18 .

The two-day conference held at Vigyan Bhavan in the national capital was attended by Union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and ministers of civil aviation and transport of all states and union territories.

Khashim said that under the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Deshka Aam Naagrik (RCS-UDAN) of the Ministry, five heliports are currently being developed in the state, namely, Jiribam, Moreh, Tamenglong, Parbung and Thanlon and early 2023 has been set for their completion.

With the MoCA focusing on the 'One District, One Helipad' model, he expressed confidence that the initiative would boost development of helipads/airstrips at strategic locations in the state, especially those situated along the international boundaries.

He then stated that in line with MoCA directive, the state government submitted a proposal for development of 24 identified potential helipad/ airstrip locations earlier this year, urging for consideration and approval of the same by the ministry under the scheme for development of small airstrips.

Making a convincing case for due examination of the identified potential helipads/airstrips proposed by the state government, the minister persuaded the Ministry of Civil Aviation to approve the same for promotion of heli-tourism in the state.

He stated that while the on-going development of the five heliports was identified and selected on the basis of connectivity criteria, there has been an omission of the heli-tourism aspect which is one of the focus areas of the MoCA.

"Once development of these helipads, being constructed with 100 per cent support of the Ministry, is completed and made fully functional, the state government is planning to create avenues for promotion of heli-tourism in the state," he informed.

Khashim highlighted that the state government has also taken steps to reduce VAT to 1 per Cent on aviation turbine fuels (ATF) for all RCS-UDAN operations in the state, stating that this was in support of the Ministry's efforts to provide air connectivity to remote and un-served parts of the country.

On the RCS-UDAN International Air Operations, he informed that the Ministry has approved two international routes for the state namely - Imphal-Mandalay-Imphal and Imphal-Bangkok-Imphal.

"I express my sincere thanks to Union ministry for the approval of these routes.

1 believe these routes will boost and promote tourism, enhance business as well as educational opportunities to the people of Manipur, which in the long run will further enhance the economy of the state," he said.

Of this, Spicejet has been confirmed the flight operator for Imphal-Mandalay route, while confirmation for the Imphal-Bangkok is being awaited, he said and requested the Ministry to provide the latest update of the same.

He also conveyed the Ministry on the State Cabinet's proposal for renaming of Imphal International Airport to Bir Tikendrajit International Airport which was submitted to the former on September 19, 2019 and sought approval of the same which was taken up in the interest of the people at an early date.

Meanwhile, in a latest communication with The People's Chronicle on Thursday, Minister Khashim confirmed that the Ministry has given the nod for renaming of the Imphal International Airport to Bir Tikendrajit International Airport.

He also disclosed that in a similar landmark move, the Public Works Department (PWD), Manipur has completed the survey work of the 6-Lane approach road to the New Integrated Terminal Building (NITB).

He said that the PWD has provided 5 possible 6-lane road alignments and one out of them needs to be selected.

"Now, the State Government in consultation with Airports Authority of India, Imphal and Deputy Commissioner, Imphal West will consider for taking a concrete decision to finalise the proposed road alignment and take up necessary process of acquiring the required land from the public," he said.

At the same time, minister Khashim informed that regarding the proposal for development of 24 identified potential helipad/airstrip locations, the Ministry has given the green signal for such locations as Mao and Laii in Senapati district; Ukhrul DHQ, Jessami, Tusom CV in Ukhrul district; and Khayang and Sahamphung in Kamjong district.

He also expressed hope of positive response from the Ministry regarding the rest of the proposed identified potential helipad/ airstrip locations in the state.

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