Maharashtra: Launch of Passenger Flight Services and Pilot Training Centre at Amravati Airport

Amravati, April 16 (NationPress) - The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, announced on Wednesday that the city of Amravati will gain distinct recognition with the establishment of the advanced Amravati Airport and the Pilot Training Center. In the near future, developments in irrigation and infrastructure, along with enhanced travel options, will be made available to the general public.

CM Fadnavis stated, "By completing the developmental projects in Vidarbha and integrating this region into the broader development framework, we will prioritize this initiative," during the ceremony marking the inauguration of passenger flight services and the flight demonstration at the Air India Pilot Training Center.

Prominent figures at the event included Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Amravati district guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked: "Excellent news for Maharashtra, particularly the Vidarbha region. An operational airport in Amravati will enhance commerce and connectivity."

Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu expressed, "Today signifies a historic achievement for Vidarbha! It is a privilege to inaugurate the Amravati Airport alongside CM Devendra Fadnavis, DCMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar under PM Narendra Modi's guidance. This RCS-VGF funded airport has commenced operations with Alliance Air’s inaugural flight from Amravati to Mumbai. We also witnessed a demonstration flight at what will soon become South Asia’s largest Air India Flying Training Organisation (FTO), marking a significant advancement for India's aviation sector.

The Chief Minister emphasized, "The airport will spearhead an economic transformation, and the surrounding area will reap both direct and indirect benefits. It will generate numerous job opportunities and establish a new identity for the region. With entrepreneurs prioritizing industrial development near the airport, the local textile industry is poised for growth. The forthcoming PM Mitra Park is expected to create 200,000 jobs, benefiting cotton farmers from production to fashion."

He added, "Today marks the commencement of the first flight, and plans for night landing facilities will follow. After the opening of the Navi Mumbai Airport, morning flight schedules will be prioritized. Furthermore, South Asia's largest pilot training center will be established here, capable of training 180 pilots annually, with around 34 aircraft available for training. The airport will undergo expansions in the future and will soon operate at full capacity."

CM Fadnavis further noted, "Vidarbha has been assigned a vital role in the agreements established for the state's development, altering the landscape of the region. The Samruddhi Highway will connect to JNPT and the Vadhvan Port. Additionally, the Wainganga-Nalganga project will encompass seven districts within Vidarbha, bringing one million hectares under irrigation, enabling farmers to cultivate effectively. This initiative will transform the region and ensure timely project completion to permanently alleviate drought conditions in Vidarbha. Dryland farming will receive irrigation support, and the second phase of the Nanaji Deshmukh Krishi Sanjeevani Project will be implemented with an investment of ₹6,000 crores."