Several airports remain unused in India, says Ashok Gajapathi

Visakhapatnam: Union Minister for Civil Aviation P Ashok Gajapathi Raju suggested better utilisation of the airports under Airport Authority of India as 70 of 125 airports are operational and rest left to cattle grazing. India has 400 airports including many in the private sector.

Addressing an interactive session organised by CII Visakhapatnam chapter, the minister said tax on aviation contributes to the economy as much as Rs 11,000 crore and Rs 3,350 crore to the State exchequer every year. More will be added with increased air connectivity.

It is since two and half years, the ministry has been working on the regional connectivity which generates lot of interest in different sectors. Also as part of improving the connectivity, there are 44 airlines which have been given destinations to connect within India.

In the near future, there will be approximately 35 new destinations likely to be added. The Minister stated that after bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh is one of the lowest in the aviation tax. It has seen a tremendous growth in the passenger traffic with Vijayawada at 71 per cent, Vizag 65 per cent, Tirupati and Rajahmundry 51 per cent each.

Talking about the employment opportunities, he opined that these activities could itself generate lot of employment. Mentioning that India stood ninth in aviation, he said that the country has a potential of being third largest very shortly.

Local MP K Hari Babu informed that six parking bays are under construction at Vizag Airport which will be completed in another six months. Many airlines are willing to park during night at the airport, which will also benefit people who wish to travel early morning, he said.