Rajasthan has 25 Airstrips.
Thanks to the ex-principalities of Rajasthan in which each Riyasat had
an Airstrip interestingly to play shikar and adventure. Post
independence we did not add any new Airstrip but strips like Bundi and
many more were neatly taken by the public to make their settlements.
To quote the Hon’ble Chief
Minister of Rajasthan, Smt. Vasundra Raje “ We the people of Rajasthan need to stake
the rightful claim of the burgeoning and exciting industry of Aviation.
We need to make it grow.”
Jaipur and Udaipur Airports are
coming up in a big way. May be Udaipur even crosses Jaipur in Air
Traffic? Udaipur as of now refuses many International Charters due to
paucity of parking space. These International Charters are brought
painstakingly by years of efforts and marketing in Europe and America.
We need to grow and we need to grow fast. In order to grow fast we need
to consider all the routes charted and un charted.
Some of the suggested do able
measures in order that the aviation industry in Rajasthan booms and
equals or even crosses the national average are:
-
Make
all working Airports (Like Jodhpur, Udaipur ) as 24 hours watch
stations to cater to more Air traffic and alternate Airfield planning
in case of diversions.
-
Make
aviation fuel the cheapest in the country.
-
Count
all the Airstrips in Rajasthan and protect them against any further
Public encroachment.
-
Form an
Aviation corporation of Rajasthan which is an autonomous body. The land and
other assets transferred to this body in the shape of Airstrips,
aircraft and flying school would make it self sustainable.
-
Post a
responsible staff (above than chowkidar in some of the strips at present) to draw plans or
execute directives of central body.
-
Co-invest with big players in Aviation Industry wherein our investment
remains in the shape of land.
-
Co-locate activities which require large tract of open land in order
to make the Airstrips Viable. Some of the suggested activities are
Super specialty hospitals, schools, deluxe bus stands, golf courses,
hotels and convention centers.
-
With
the oil find in Barmer it has the potential of turning into another
Dubai. Facilitate it to grow. It can open floodgates of opportunities
if we just allow international Air traffic to land there. Security
perceptions because of proximity to border should be countered quoting
Amritsar International Airport. Declare formation of brand new
International Airport there.
-
Create
Aviation gateways of Rajasthan to cater to domestic tourists in Mt.
Abu, Banswara, Jhalawar, Alwar and Jhunjhunu.
-
Give
incentives to Ancillary units like private flying clubs, MRO
facilities, Tourists Air Charters by just allowing them.
-
Let’s
focus on world market. Let’s not be regionalized. Let mushroom growth
take place now and we can always regulate it later. Let an airfield be
activated first. Any project in Aviation requires large investment and
long time commitment so the mushrooms if any will fade away
themselves.
To Start
air traffic we need three A’s. The Airport, Airline and ATC. If two are
there the third will come. Let’s talk of creating the second ‘A’ now.
Let’s declare three model Airports to be created other than AAI airports
in Rajasthan. Let the investments be focused. Let’s plan the complete
airfield other than just extending the runway length. Let’s activate
Bikaner (Nal). Let’s fly miles before we sleep soon. Let’s close our
paper making factories. Let’s perform. Let’s sustain double digit
growth. The relentless, manageable and achievable growth, let’s will it.
