NEW DELHI: In a step to beef up the regional air connectivity across the country, the Indian Air Force has agreed to spare land at its bases. This will initially include seven air bases with plans to include other bases also where the operations, passenger and cargo will be expanded.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday said, "The Indian Air Force has facilitated working permission and handing over of defence land by MoD to Airport Authority of India (AAI) at seven locations, viz, Bagdogra, Darbhanga, Adampur, Utarlai, Sarsawa, Kanpur and Gorakhpur.”
In the process, "approximately 40 acres of land are being handed over for the development of civil terminals and necessary airfield infrastructure for commencing RCS flights," MoD officials said, adding that the rise in civil flights at these locations will help the economy and aid in developing these areas.
Moreover, the plan also includes improving the flight operations at other Air Force air bases also where civil flights are operational. "IAF is also in the process of handing over Defence land for expansion of civil airports at six locations, over and above those covered under RCS, viz., Srinagar, Thanjavur, Chandigarh, Leh, Pune and Agra."
This will facilitate the expansion of the existing terminals and facilities to accommodate an enhanced number of passengers and cargo infrastructure.
The steps are being taken in line with the "Ude Desh ka Aam Nagarik" (UDAN) vision and to facilitate Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).
In addition to all of the above, the Indian Air Force has been conducting exercises to utilize civil airport runways and services to validate operational landings and flights for exigencies in case of active wars.