Says J&K’s Scenic Places Have Potential To Boost Heli-Tourism
Srinagar- Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir’s various scenic destinations witness year-round tourist influx and have potential to boost heli-tourism market, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Monday invited Industry Captains to be partners in the transformational journey.
Sinha made these remarks while addressing the 4th edition of Heli-India Summit here at SKICC, an official spokesperson said.
Welcoming the stakeholders of Civil aviation sector and Helicopter industry from across the country to Jammu and Kashmir, the LG, he said, observed that the Heli India Summit will play a significant role in promoting heli-seva as last mile connectivity.
“Various scenic destinations in Jammu Kashmir witnessing year-round tourist influx, which has the potential to boost Heli-Tourism market in the UT. We are committed to facilitate and help in the growth of Heli operations. I invite Industry Captains to be partners in this transformational journey,” the LG said.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ensured Nav-Nirman of J&K UT with robust infrastructure, road-connectivity to all villages, housing, rural electrification and full utilization of natural and human resources to meet the demands of the modern society,” he added.
According to the spokesperson, the LG said that Gati Shakti-National Master Plan is paving the way for coordinated implementation of infrastructure schemes like Bharatmala, Sagarmala and UDAN.
He said that the LG highlighted the reforms introduced by the PM and said that growth in passenger traffic and corresponding increase in number of flight routes, aircrafts and enhanced regional air connectivity to fulfill the aspirations of the common man by following the vision of Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik”.
“In a short span of time, 65 airports, 8 heliports and 2 water aerodromes were made operational in tier-2 and tier-3 cities under the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and soon India will cross over into the top 10 air freight markets in the near future,” Sinha said.
The LG, the spokesperson said, reiterated the UT government’s commitment to improve connectivity, particularly in remote & far flung areas and providing affordable transportation to the people of the UT. He further said that Rs. One Lakh Crore is being spent on road and tunnel infrastructure, which are opening up new vistas of socio-economic growth of J&K.
Sinha, the spokesperson said, maintained that the significant decisions like reduction of VAT on ATF from 26.5% to 1% and abolishing the load penalty at Jammu airport has revived J&K’s Civil aviation sector.
“Today, Srinagar airport is setting a new record in terms of number of flights per day. Within a year, from 20-25 daily flights, today 80 to 100 flights are operating at Srinagar airport every day,” the LG said.
“After the decision to abolish load penalty at Jammu airport, the number of flights has increased, the citizens of Jammu division have got better and economical facilities to travel to Delhi and other parts of the country, and the business sector has also gained new dynamism,” he added.
The spokesperson said that the LG further asserted that his government has already laid down the road map to fulfill the aspirations of every section of society.
“A lot has been achieved in the last three years. Remarkable progress in Infrastructure and other sectors present a tremendous opportunity for J&K UT to realize its full potential,” Sinha said.
“Achievements in tourism sector, development of 75 offbeat destinations enabling us to accelerate our development process and to utilize the energies and talents of human capital,” he added.
The LG, as per the spokesperson said that inclusive development provides UT of J&K considerable leverage in pursuing the objective of Aatma-Nirbhar J&K.
“Today we have a rapidly growing economy, expanding market for agriculture & allied sectors and widening industrial base to integrate J&K’s economy into the country’s mainstream,” Sinha added
The spokesperson said that the broad objectives of the Summit are to create a world-class helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India; promote tourism in the Himalayan states by providing uninterrupted helicopter services to the tourist hotspots; encourage Helicopter-based emergency medical services (HEMS) and enhancing the role of Helicopters in supporting other industries.
According to the spokesperson, Secretary, Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Bansal in his welcome address briefed on the steps taken by the Civil Aviation Ministry in providing air connectivity and heli services to un-served and potential regions. He also gave details of the day long technical sessions.
He said that Remi Maillard, Chairman FCCI- Civil Aviation Committee and President & MD Air Bus India expressed his commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with Government in India for the growth and progress of heli services in India.
“Usha Padhee, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) presented the Vote of thanks,” the spokesperson said, adding that various initiatives of the Ministry of Civil Aviation were also launched on the occasion.
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