Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Saturday requested Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu to connect Ramanathapuram, Hosur and Neyveli under the ‘Ude Desh Ka Aaam Naagrik’ (Country’s common citizen shall fly) or UDAN Scheme’s regional connectivity programme.
In a letter to Prabhu text of which was released to the media on Saturday, Palaniswami said Ramanathapuram has been included in the Phase II of the UDAN Scheme.
Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district is an important pilgrimage and tourism centre, attracting tourists from all over India, he said.
"Therefore, I request you to take necessary steps to start air operations to Ramanathapuram as expeditiously as possible by starting the bidding process," Palaniswami said.
The Chief Minister also requested Prabhu to make Hosur Airport operational immediately by getting the 'No Objection Certificate' from Bangalore International Airport.
Hosur is an important industrial hub in Krishnagiri district which was selected under the UDAN Scheme in the first phase and it would be an engine of growth to the industrial hub of the district, he said.
Palaniswami also urged Prabhu to take necessary steps to bring flight operations to Neyveli as the bidding process with airline operators has been completed.
The Hosur airport, if constructed, can come as a breather for South and South-Central Bengaluru residents.
The domestic airport might come up at the Hosur Aerodome, situated 40 km from Bengaluru city, and the Tamil Nadu government has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Civil Aviation in this regard.
The Hosur Aerodrome is currently a private airfield established in 1994, and is maintained by Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Limited, an aircraft manufacturing company.
Hosur Aerodrome has one asphalt runway, capable of accepting Airbus A-320 and Boeing 737 aircraft, and has night landing facilities.
However, the aerodrome may not be suitable for a commercial airport, experts say.
IANS inputs