IndiGo Commences Operations From Bareilly
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IndiGo commenced operations from Bareilly, the 68th domestic destination on the 6E network. The inauguration was done with lamp lighting at the Bareilly airport as well as Ministry of Civil Aviation in New Delhi. The ceremony was graced by Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia along with the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, V.K. Singh, and Member of Parliament, Bareilly, Santosh Gangwar in a virtual ceremony. Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Joint Secretary, MoCA Usha Padhee alongside other officials of the MoCA & AAI were also present during the flag-off event.
Flagging off the service, Scindia said, “Today marks another momentous day for the civil aviation sector of the country. The commencement of the flight operations on the Bareilly – Mumbai route from today & Bareilly – Bangalore route from 14th August 2021 will not only improve transportation facilities in the region but will also open immense opportunities in tourism, education, industry and trade and commerce for the region. Moreover, we are also increasing the frequency of operations to daily between Delhi-Bareilly from 26th August 2021. These direct flights will not only benefit the people of Bareilly but also from the neighbouring regions such as Nainital & Ranikhet also.”
Sanjay Kumar, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, IndiGo said, “The launch of our flight operations from Bareilly marks the progress on our plan to connect seven key regional destinations in the country this year. Bareilly has always been special as it was identified as one of the 100 Smart Cities being developed in India, making it a promising hub for IT/ITeS services. Enhanced connectivity will promote trade and commerce while offering support in realising the vision for Bareilly as it progresses towards a smart future. Bareilly, a sacred city located at the foothills of Nainital, Ranikhet and Kumaon region, will also attract domestic and international tourists via direct connectivity from Mumbai and Bangalore”.
Bareilly is the 8th airport of Uttar Pradesh after Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Hindon, Agra and Prayagraj. The Trishul Military Airbase, Bareilly belongs to the Indian Air Force and the land was handed over to the Airport Authority of India for construction of the interim civil aviation operations. The upgradation was undertaken by the AAI with a cost of Rs. 65 crores.
Lakhs of people visit Bareilly for the NathNagri (known for the four Shiva temples located in four corners of the region - DhopeshwarNath, MadniNath, AlakhaNath and TrivatiNath), Ala Hazrat, Shah Sharafat Miyan and Khankahe Niyazia, Zari Nagari and historically important sites like as Sanjashya (where the Buddha descended from Tushita to earth). The city is also a centre for furniture manufacturing and cotton, cereal, and sugar trading. Apart from enhancing the aerial connectivity of Bareilly and its neighbouring regions, the flight operations will boss trade, tourism, and local economy with direct connectivity with the trade capital of the country – Mumbai in Maharashtra & technology hub of the country – Bangalore in Karnataka.
The operationalization of this route aligns with the objectives of the Sab Uden Sab Juden initiative of the Government of India that aims to strengthen the aerial connectivity of the Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities of the country with the metros.
Till date, 363 routes and 59 airports (including 5 heliports and 2 water aerodromes) have been operationalized under the UDAN scheme.