Arunachal Pradesh becomes part of UDAN scheme

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh has now been included under the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) — a regional connectivity scheme of the Union Civil Aviation Ministry — that makes flying affordable to the masses.

A tripartite MoU has been signed in New Delhi on Tuesday between Arunachal Pradesh, the Civil Aviation Ministry and Airports Authority of India (AAI).

On behalf of the state, Civil Aviation Secretary Vinod P Kavle inked the pact, an official release said.

This would not only pave the way for providing affordable air connectivity from the ALG (Advanced Landing Ground)/Airport within Arunachal Pradesh to the rest of the country but also boost tourism and facilitate import and export of goods and agriculture, horticulture produces of the state.

A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Union Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey with state chief secretary Shakuntala Doley Gamlin and civil aviation secretary at New Delhi on Tuesday.

During the meeting, other issues including commencement of commercial fixed-wing aircraft services from Pasighat to the rest of the country were also discussed wherein the union civil aviation secretary assured that air services from Pasighat would commence by November next positively, the release added.