No place for Surat Union ministry's airport modernisation scheme

Surat, June 10 (UNI) Surat does not figure in the list of 35 cities that will avail themselves of the benefits of the Union Civil Aviation Ministry's Rs 8,000 crore scheme to construct new airports or modernise the existing ones that was announced after a high-level meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.

This seems to have irked the frequent-fliers from here, mostly comprising people from the business community.

Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Pravin Nanavati yesterday told UNI thatSomething was wrong somewhere. ''Earlier, we thought that government was not applying its mind on the issue. But now we feel that problem is somewhere else. We feel that a lot of follow-up is needed. A representation of the Chamber will meet Civil Aviation Minister to press the matter,'' he said.

Mr Nanavati said lack of airport was one of the main obstacle in the development of Surat.

According to Nanavati, most of the businessmen who want to do business in Surat find the lack of airport a major inconvenience.

It is assumed that more than 5,000 businessmen are flying to various places from here every month.

Mr Nanavati further said he did not see any politics in the issue as the state government gives full support to their demands.

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