Ranchi, May 20
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday said India does not face any immediate threat from the escalating crisis in West Asia, but stressed that the country must remain alert and prepared for any possible fallout.
Speaking during his visit to Ranchi, Naidu said that every sector, including civil aviation, should proactively prepare short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to minimise the impact of global uncertainty on citizens and the economy.
“The situation is not worrisome for India at present, but we need to stay alert. Every sector, including civil aviation, must assess the impact and prepare accordingly,” he told reporters.
Addressing concerns over rising airfares amid global tensions, the minister said the Centre has already taken several measures to protect passengers from higher travel costs. He said aviation turbine fuel prices, along with airport landing and parking charges, have been reduced to help stabilise fares.
Naidu said nearly five lakh passengers travel daily on domestic routes, and the government is closely monitoring airfare trends. He added that connectivity and aircraft deployment would be increased if demand rises.
During the visit, the minister announced the upcoming launch of the modified Regional Connectivity Scheme, UDAN 2, with an estimated outlay of around Rs 29,000 crore. Under the scheme, the government plans to develop 100 new airports and 200 helipads over the next decade.
He also announced that affordable food facilities under the Udan Yatri Cafe initiative will be introduced at airports to make air travel more passenger-friendly.
Highlighting aviation expansion in Jharkhand, Naidu said the Centre would prioritise international connectivity for Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport and strengthen domestic routes. He added that Dumka, Hazaribag, Chaibasa and Daltonganj would receive air connectivity in the near future.
On the investigation into last year’s Ahmedabad aircraft crash, the minister said the probe is in its final stage, and the report will be released soon. He maintained that the investigation is being conducted in a fair, transparent and accountable manner and would stand up to international scrutiny.
Naidu also launched several passenger-oriented initiatives at Ranchi airport, including a Flybrary for travellers, a dedicated children’s play area and the Avasar programme to promote products made by women entrepreneurs.
He further said India’s aviation sector has witnessed rapid growth over the past decade, with the number of airports in the country increasing from 74 in 2014 to 165 at present.
