Lok Sabha Question No. 537 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-06
Subject: Expansion of Air Connectivity
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Anil Yeshwant Desai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## Lok Sabha

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 537

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  6th February 2025 )

## EXPANSION OF AIR CONNECTIVITY

## 537.    SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether Government has taken any initiatives for expansion of air connectivity  in  Maharashtra  for  connecting  Mumbai  and  Delhi  with small cities in the State and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of the small  airports  in  the  State  having  some restrictions  on  landing  of  big  aircrafts  due  to  lack  of  essential facilities; and
- (c) whether the Government has any proposals to upgrade such small
- airports for better air connectivity and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION      (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) to (c):  Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme- Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik (RCS-UDAN) scheme, Nine airports, namely -Kolhapur, Jalgaon,  Solapur,  Amravati,  Nanded,  Nasik,  Ratnagiri,  Gondia  and Sindhudurg  in  the  state  of  Maharashtra,  have  been  identified  for revival and operation of RCS flights. Out of which Six Airports namely Kolhapur, Jalgaon, Nanded,  Nasik,  Gondia  and Sindhudurg  have already been operationalised under the Scheme.

;

The  Solapur  Airport  has  been  licensed  and  ready  for  operation.  The development  work  of  Amravati  airport  has  been  completed  and licensing is in progress.The Government of Maharashtra through MADC

has taken up development of Ratnagiri Airport for which Rs. 80 crores has been allocated under the 'Revival/Development of unserved airstrips' Scheme. ; The maximum size of an aircraft that can land at any airport depends on various factors including the length, width and strength of runway, availability  to  suitable  apron,  taxiway  etc  and  fire-category  of  the airport.  The  list  of  small  airports  with  the  maximum  category  of aircraft operating in the State of Maharashtra is placed at Annexure.; ; The modernization and development of infrastructure facilities at the airports is a continuous process and is undertaken on the passenger demand  forecast,  operational  requirements  for  safety  of aircraft operation and demand from airlines.  Development works are taken up in  a  phased  manner  depending  upon  the  availability  of  land  and viability, as well as other facilities with reference to intended aircraft operations.  Further,  the  Airports  Authority  of  India  has  prepared Master Plans for AAI Airports up to the year 2047 based on the traffic projections. Commencement of the construction of infrastructures i.e. Runway extension, Apron expansion, Terminal building, etc. and land requirements have been planned accordingly.

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The  list  of  AAI  Airports  with  the  maximum  category  of  Aircraft  Operating  in  the  state  of Maharashtra

|   S. No. | Airport   | Aerodrome Reference Code   | Maximum category of Aircraft Operating   |
|----------|-----------|----------------------------|------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Jalgaon   | 3C                         | ATR-72/600                               |
|        2 | Juhu      | 2B                         | B200                                     |
|        3 | Kolhapur  | 3C                         | ATR-72                                   |
|        4 | Solapur   | 2C                         | ATR-42                                   |
|        5 | Nanded    | 3C                         | ATR-72/600                               |