Latest news with #AirportAdvisoryCommittee
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Surat airport taxiway clears final hurdle as Yakshini tree transplanted
S Tired of too many ads? go ad free now urat: Surat airport authorities have finally removed and transplanted a tree that was obstructing the newly constructed parallel taxiway, enabling its operationalisation. The 10-foot tree, believed to be the sacred abode of a Yakshini (a female nature spirit), was shifted within the airport premises rather than being cut down due to religious beliefs. The 2,905-metre taxiway, built at a cost of Rs 63 crore, has been ready since March 31. However, operations were delayed as the tree stood near the 'Lalbai Mata' temple and held religious significance for local villagers. "The tree was considered auspicious as it was beside the temple. We also shifted the temple structure with it. The idol had already been moved to the new location two years ago. Now that the tree is relocated, the DGCA will soon inspect the taxiway. Once approved, flight operations will become more efficient," a senior airport official said. Officials waited for the monsoon to begin so that the tree could adapt better to its new location using natural rainwater. It has now been replanted near the airport fire station, close to gate number 3 in the operational area. Airport and fire personnel stationed nearby will care for the tree. The matter of removing the tree was also raised earlier during an Airport Advisory Committee meeting chaired by Union minister CR Patil.
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Demand for international status for Prayagraj airport gains momentum
The long-standing demand to upgrade Prayagraj Airport to international status is once again gathering momentum. In a meeting of the Airport Advisory Committee held at a hotel in Civil Lines on Wednesday, the issue was discussed in detail. Member of Parliament Praveen Singh Patel attended the meeting as the chief guest. He stated that Prayagraj Airport had set new records during the Mahakumbh, and the time had now come to grant it international airport status. During the meeting, committee members and officials highlighted that thousands of people from Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Kaushambi and nearby districts in Madhya Pradesh travel to Gulf countries for employment every month. Currently, they must travel to Lucknow or Delhi to board international flights. Direct international flights from Prayagraj, they argued, would provide significant relief to travelers and boost the region's economic activity. It was also announced that cargo services from Prayagraj Airport are set to begin soon. Airport director Mukesh Upadhyay informed attendees that the required land for cargo operations has already been identified, and final approval from the ministry of civil aviation is pending. Committee members shared concerns over reduced air connectivity. Prior to the Mahakumbh, Prayagraj was connected to 13 cities by air; that number has now dropped to seven. Members including Arunendra Singh, Anirudh Pratap Singh, Murarilal Agarwal and Ravi Mohan Mishra urged the restoration of lost routes and reiterated the demand for international status. Other proposals raised during the meeting included launching a 6 am flight to Delhi with a return service in the evening, introducing new flights to Surat, Pune, Dehradun and Indore, and establishing a graphic work and information centre at the airport to promote tourism.
