Aviation sector to see Rs 95,000 cr investment in 4 yrs: Scindia

New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia asked the states to install helipads in every district on Tuesday, highlighting the significance of helipads in delivering last-mile connectivity.

According to the Minister, 82 helicopter corridors have been located. Additionally, he discussed facilities for engine service and the expansion of the nation's capacity for flight training organisations. He said the government recently abolished TNFC/RNFC charges in 21 states to encourage helicopter operations. The Minister brought attention to the three recent initiatives unveiled at the recent Heli-India Summit in Srinagar, namely Framing of Guidelines for Fractional Ownership, Project Sanjeevani for Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and Project AKASH.

On the issue of airports, the Minister said that in the next four years, about Rs 95,000 crore is likely to be invested by the Government and the private sector, which includes greenfield as well as brownfield airports. The Airports Authority of India is working on the expansion of about 40 airports and setting up 3-4 new greenfield airports. Similarly, the private sector is also working on 60 brownfields and three greenfield airports. In the last 8 years, the number of airports has gone up from 74 to 141 (including helipads and waterdromes) and the number is likely to cross 200 in the next 4-5 years.

Speaking on drone technology, the Minister said that a new revolution has begun and India is leading the initiative in the sector. He said that a conducive policy for promoting drones is already in place; incentives have been announced through PLI, and the use of drone services is being promoted in a large manner with 22 ministries concentrating on this.

Scindia expressed that the Government is ready to undertake an expansion of the civil aviation sector. He called upon the states to have greater participation and be constructive partners in the progress.

Speaking on the current scenario, the Minister said that the civil aviation sector has passed through difficult times and it is now ready for take-off to its true potential.

Calling India a towering phoenix, the Minister said that India today is one of the few countries operating seamlessly in a high-demand-led environment. He said that this has been possible because, during Covid times, the Government identified the drivers needed to give the boost to the sector and took proactive measures.

With inputs from IANS