Rajasthan eyes ₹1,500 crore investment in aviation; cuts fuel VAT to 1%, ET Infra
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Rajasthan's Minister of State for Civil Aviation (Independent Charge) Gautam Kumar Dak said the state government has taken several steps to develop civil aviation infrastructure and services.He stated that the value added tax (VAT) on aviation turbine fuel for Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) flights has been reduced from 26 per cent to 1 per cent. The state has provided free and encumbrance-free land to the Airports Authority of India for the construction of a greenfield airport in Kota and for the development and expansion of Kishangarh Airport. Land allocation is also in progress for the expansion of Udaipur Airport and for the construction of a civil enclave in Uttarlai, Barmer.At the Northern Region Civil Aviation Ministers' Conference in Dehradun, Dak said that Rajasthan has several tourist, religious, industrial, and educational sites, making regional air connectivity important. Currently, RCS flights operate from three airports in the state. The government has proposed to the Centre that Mount Abu, Sikar, Sawai Madhopur, Bhilwara, and Sri Ganganagar be included in the RCS network. It has also requested regular flights from Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Kishangarh to Mumbai, Kolkata, Surat, and Bengaluru.The state has 19 airstrips ranging from 3,300 feet to 9,800 feet. These are being offered for use in flying training, air sports, and maintenance activities. An FTO is operational in Kishangarh, and another is scheduled to begin in Bhilwara in August 2025. Over 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with private investors, indicating a potential investment of ₹1,500 crore. Aviation investment promotion provisions are included in the Rajasthan Investment Promotion Scheme (RIPS).Dak said there are about 118 helipads in the state. Additional helipads are under construction in districts, tourist areas, and for use in medical and emergency services. Plans have been proposed for helicopter tourism, religious travel, and short-distance rides. The government is also working on establishing helicopter-based emergency medical services and is seeking central support for operational models and standard procedures.He further stated that districts such as Udaipur, Kota (Chambal), Banswara, and Tonk (Bisalpur) may be suitable for seaplane services. A request has been made to the Centre to study feasibility and consider inclusion under the RCS scheme. Rajasthan introduced its Civil Aviation Policy in 2024 and has sought financial, technical, and policy support from the central government.
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