Promote regional air connectivity in Bihar: RCP Singh

PATNA: JD(U) leader and Rajya Sabha member RCP Singh on Tuesday demanded opening of airports in Bhagalpur and Valmikinagar and regular flights from both the places.
Dwelling on the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (Amendment) Bill-2019 in Rajya Sabha, Singh also demanded immediate restoration of flights between Patna and Kathmandu. “Direct flights used to operate between Patna and Kathmandu.A large number of people from Bihar are connected to Nepal. The Centre should consider to restore the direct air connectivity between the two cities,” Singh said.
He also thanked the civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri for taking necessary steps to begin flights from Darbhanga soon. “While Bhagalpur is an important town, Vaimikinagar is an important tourist destination. Many visit Valimikinagar every year. If you develop the airport there, it will benefit people,” the RS member said.
Singh also demanded beginning of international flights from Gaya airport. He also sought the constitution of a regulatory body to monitor functioning of private companies in aviation sector. “Whichever private players are entering the aviation sector, people should know as to how many years they will stay in the sector. Companies are now winding up their business after remaining in the sector for 10 years. There should be a system to monitor these companies,” he said.
Earlier in July 2017, an MoU was signed in presence of then Union civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapati Raju and CM Nitish Kumar for promoting regional air connectivity in the state.