Mumbai, Aug 12 (NationPress) The Maharashtra Cabinet has officially sanctioned a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) per seat for a duration of one year, mirroring the UDAN scheme, specifically for the Solapur-Pune-Mumbai air route.

The Central government has initiated the UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme) to enhance the affordability of air travel for the general populace. This initiative will also extend to the Solapur Airport. In the interim, funds will be allocated at a rate of Rs 3,240 per seat (representing 100 percent VGF) for the year, significantly reducing airfare between Solapur and Mumbai/Pune,” stated an official government release.

According to the cabinet's resolution, the VGF will be allocated to Star Air Company on a per-seat basis for both the Solapur-Mumbai and Solapur-Pune routes. A total budget of Rs 17.97 crore will be set aside for this initiative. Post the implementation of the UDAN scheme for this airport, government funding will cease, and a 20 percent VGF will be provided according to the central government's guidelines,” the release added.

Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, Chhagan Bhujbal, mentioned that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed the administration to evaluate the possibility of extending a similar VGF for initiating flights on additional routes such as Nashik-Hyderabad, Nashik-Ahmedabad, and Nashik-Bangalore.

In other news, the Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has reported earnings of Rs 137.37 crore from passenger traffic during the Raksha Bandhan festival and public holidays from August 8 to 11.

Notably, on August 11 alone, the MSRTC recorded an impressive income of Rs 39 crore from passenger traffic, marking a record-breaking day for this financial year, as reported by Transport Minister and Chairman of MSRTC, Pratap Sarnaik, following the cabinet meeting.

Minister Sarnaik emphasized that every year, the MSRTC sees a surge in revenue during the two days surrounding Raksha Bandhan and Bhaubij (Diwali), attributed to increased passenger traffic.

In fact, over the past years, the MSRTC has consistently achieved record earnings during the Raksha Bandhan festival. This year, a substantial influx of passengers was noted on both days of the celebration. On the day preceding Raksha Bandhan, Friday, the MSRTC generated Rs 34.86 crore; on Raksha Bandhan, Saturday, it earned Rs 33.36 crore, and on Sunday, Rs 39.9 crore.

Throughout the Raksha Bandhan festivities from August 8 to 11, a total of 1.93 crore passengers traveled safely via state transport buses, with nearly 88 lakh being female passengers.

Minister Sarnaik expressed gratitude for the overwhelming number of passengers who chose to travel with state transport buses during the Raksha Bandhan festival and extended congratulations to the diligent MSRTC employees.