Centre plans to connect remote areas by air

More functional autonomy for DGCA, says Ajit Singh

A new policy instrument in the form of Route Dispersal Guidelines is under consideration of the Central government in line with its plan to provide air connectivity to the country’s remote and interior areas, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ajit Singh said here on Tuesday.

“The North-Eastern region and Tier-II and Tier-III cities will have airports in the near future,” Singh said. The Guidelines is likely to include the creation of Essential Air Service Fund (EASF) to provide direct subsidy  to encourage domestic carriers to fly in remote and interior areas.

Speaking about the civil aviation sector in the country, he said that the ministry is also contemplating to give more functional autonomy to the existing Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) by establishing Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under an act of Parliament which will soon be given a final shape.  

“Besides, there is a proposal to restructure the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and to constitute a dedicated security force which will soon see the light of the day,” Singh added. With a view to enhancing helicopter connectivity to smaller towns and rural areas –including places of religious and tourist significance – the Civil Aviation Ministry would take up several measures such as construction of helipads in different places, the minister said.

It would also soon modify guidelines for acquisition of aircrafts enabling Indian carriers to buy smaller aircrafts needed for providing connectivity to the smaller cities.

“Also, one of the key achievements of the airports sector has been to set an independent regulator for economic regulation of airports by an act of Parliament with appropriate provision for an appellate body,” he said.  

This institutes faster competition, level playing field amongst public and private sector airports, viability of airports and protection of interests, he added.   

The Ministry has also proposed to create National Aviation University to ensure skill enhancement and to produce professionals for the future.

The University would also serve as a training hub for other countries in the region.