Air travel to take the place of trains: Patel

Jaipur, Dec 29 (UNI) Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today said air traval is posed to take the place of train as a means of-mass trasportation and called for augmenting the airport infrastructure in the country.

Mr Patel was speaking after laying the foundation of the new international air terminal in jaipur airport here. The proposed air terminal had a capacity to cater to 2.4 lakh passengers a year being constrcuted at a cost of Rs 95 crore. The terminal would be ready within 12 months.

He called for the support of the State Government by making avialable land and other required support so that the expansion of airports could be executed expeditiosly.

Mr Patel said due to increased competition in this sector with the the entry of multiple players the air tarrif-likely to fall further in the next five years and airlines poised to take the place of trains in mass transportation in the country.

He said under the new initiative of making air travel as the most convenient and affordable mode of transportation to the common man his ministry has taken up the upgradation and expansion of about 35 airports in different parts of the country. The Aviation Ministry endeavour would be to develop air transportation facilities even at smaller towns and asked the state governments to become a partner through joint ventures, Mr Patel added.

He said ''in the last three years the number of flights has increased from 135 to 250 in the country and may be in the next five years the number will cross 1000''.

Speaking on the ocassion Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara raje announced the decision of the government to launch a state--owned airline company for intercity air connectivity in the state.

Union Minister Sisram Ola, Namo Narayan Meena, state education Minister Ghanshyam Tiwari, MPs Girdharilal Bhargav, Ramdas Agarwal, Kishanlal Balmiki, opposition leader in the Assembly Ram Narain Chudharywere among those present on the occasion.

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