Silchar: The decision of the Central Government to give effect to a new civil aviation policy which among others includes regional connectivity to smaller cities at a fare of Rs.2500 per hour and low baggage fee. Airlines can charge only Rs.100 a kg for baggage in excess of Rs.15 kg and upto 20 kg. Along with that has come two other decisions to have more airports in interior areas and that highways are to be used as runways for connectivity in far-flung areas of the country. This is no doubt a positive move and has been hailed by the air passengers.
Along with that certain basic questions arise in the context of Barak Valley which is a landlocked region. During monsoon in particular, road and highways become undependable. To travel through National Highway 6 has become a nightmarish experiences with frequent fatal bus mishaps at Sonapur –Tongseng zone. Train services too are affected as it has happened now. For more than one month, the train services on the newly laid BG track between Silchar and Lumding have remained suspended. The worst sufferers are the people of Barak Valley who have no other alternative to move out. The only access open is air services.
But, the high cost of fare cannot be afforded by the people willing to go outside. Even the ‘open air policy’ of the Centre has not benefited this valley. No low fare airlines like Spice Jet or IndiGo has made any schedule of services for this airport. Long ago, Kingfisher did enter the area, but it was short-lived. The woes of passengers know no bound. On the ground of improvement of runway, all the afternoon air services have remained suspended from March 27. There is no certainty when the afternoon services will resume.
To Read the News in Full 19/06/16 The Sentinel
Along with that certain basic questions arise in the context of Barak Valley which is a landlocked region. During monsoon in particular, road and highways become undependable. To travel through National Highway 6 has become a nightmarish experiences with frequent fatal bus mishaps at Sonapur –Tongseng zone. Train services too are affected as it has happened now. For more than one month, the train services on the newly laid BG track between Silchar and Lumding have remained suspended. The worst sufferers are the people of Barak Valley who have no other alternative to move out. The only access open is air services.
But, the high cost of fare cannot be afforded by the people willing to go outside. Even the ‘open air policy’ of the Centre has not benefited this valley. No low fare airlines like Spice Jet or IndiGo has made any schedule of services for this airport. Long ago, Kingfisher did enter the area, but it was short-lived. The woes of passengers know no bound. On the ground of improvement of runway, all the afternoon air services have remained suspended from March 27. There is no certainty when the afternoon services will resume.
To Read the News in Full 19/06/16 The Sentinel
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