Raipur, March 30 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, virtually launched new direct flight routes from Maa Mahamaya Airport in Ambikapur to New Delhi and Kolkata on Monday. The ceremony took place in Raipur, with local MP Chintamani officially inaugurating the flight from Maa Mahamaya Airport, located at Darima.

The Darima Airport, initially established in 1950, underwent significant upgrades in 2021 to accommodate 72-seater aircraft. According to the new flight schedule, services will be available twice weekly to both Delhi and Kolkata, with stops in Bilaspur.

The Ambikapur-Delhi route will utilize a 72-seater ATR aircraft, with ticket prices starting at Rs 6,500. The Ambikapur-Kolkata service is set to commence on April 2, operating on Thursdays and Saturdays at a fare of Rs 6,000.

The introduction of these flights has sparked considerable excitement among the residents of Ambikapur and the adjacent Surguja division, a predominantly tribal area in northern Chhattisgarh. Locals anticipate that the new air links will significantly reduce travel time, alleviate fatigue, and enhance business, tourism, and connectivity.

The flight from Delhi to Ambikapur will depart Delhi at 7:50 a.m., arrive in Bilaspur at 10:25 a.m., and reach Ambikapur at 11:40 a.m. It will then leave Ambikapur at 12:05 p.m. and return to Delhi by 2:35 p.m. On Wednesdays, this flight will follow a similar schedule.

During the inauguration, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced that the Ambikapur-Kolkata flights are forthcoming, and there are plans to initiate routes to Ayodhya and Varanasi. “We are actively working on launching additional flights. Improvements and expansions are planned for airports in Jagdalpur, Ambikapur, and Raigarh,” he stated.

The local MP boarded the inaugural flight, emphasizing that the Raipur airport is set to gain a cargo airport soon, with a memorandum of understanding already signed.

Located near Ambikapur, Maa Mahamaya Airport was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 20, 2024. Spanning 365 acres and developed at a cost of approximately Rs 80 crore, this airport is anticipated to drive growth in Surguja by offering modern air travel options.

Local MP Chintamani hailed the launch as a “historic moment” for the region, while former Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo expressed optimism about progress in the area.

On Sunday, CM Sai also inaugurated nighttime flight operations at Bilasa Devi Kevat Airport in Bilaspur, personally taking the inaugural night flight from Bilaspur to Raipur alongside MLA Dharamjit Singh.

Following the airport's upgrade, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approved night operations under the 3C IFR category on February 6.

This new capability allows for scheduled commercial flights, as well as emergency and medical services, to operate at night.

Chief Minister Sai remarked that the introduction of night flights would greatly enhance life-saving medical services while fostering trade, tourism, and investment in the region. He encouraged citizens to fully utilize this new facility and wished them safe and enjoyable journeys.

This development represents a significant advancement in regional aviation infrastructure in Chhattisgarh, particularly benefiting smaller cities and tribal communities.