Ahmedabad

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati today said the Indian civil aviation sector has tremendous scope for growth, particularly to connect smaller cities and places of interest.

Inaugurating the Gujarat Aero Conclave-2015 jointly organized by Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of Gujarat and FICCI here, he said that Indians as individuals are very good, and collectively they could be second to none. Dreams are good but must translate into action. He recalled how JRD Tata translated his dream into action, starting India’s first air mail service on the Karachi-Bombay-Madras route way back (early 1930s).

The Union Minister said that historically India was in hibernation for long. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the vision and is now trying to get India out of that hibernation and deliver.

Referring to several initiatives taken by Gujarat in the civil aviation sector, he said, Gujarat deserves two claps for taking the lead and throwing challenges to other states, which is good for healthy competition and for the ultimate good of the nation.

Speaking on the occasion, Gujarat’s Finance, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Saurabhbhai Patel said the state has already 17 airports and building seven new ones at places like Mehsana, Mandvi, Ankleshwar, Palitana and Ambaji, for which Rs.100-crore has been allocated in the State Budget. Gujarat has made a beginning in developing Ankleshwar as a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MOR) hub. There is space for expansion with potential to provide jobs to thousands, and save foreign exchange too.

FICCI Vice President Pankaj Patel said that India is emerging as the third largest aviation market, growing at 10-12 per cent annually. There is demand for more connectivity. Since Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) costs nearly 40 per cent of the total operation cost, he said there is need for reducing taxes on ATF to make the industry globally competitive.

Union Secretary for Civil Aviation V. Somasundaran spoke on the scope of civil aviation industry in India. Union Civil Aviation Joint Secretary G. Asok Kumar proposed a vote of thanks.

Prominent among those present at the function included Gujarat’s Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jashabhai Barad, Civil Aviation Secretary Sonal Mishra, GPCC’s Rakeshbhai Shah, Ahmedabad’s Deputy Mayor Bipin Sikka and delegates from all over India.

DeshGujarat