HYDERABAD: The state government on Wednesday signed an MoU with the ministry of civil aviation and Airports Authority of India (AAI) for air connectivity to smaller towns under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) by developing small airports and airstrips. A memorandum of understanding was signed in Delhi in the presence of Union civil aviation minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju and industries minister KT Rama Rao.
Ministry of civil aviation joint secretary Usha, principal secretary investment promotion Arvind Kumar and AAI chairman Guru Prasad signed the MoU. The state was keen to develop Warangal, Kothagudem and Adilabad airports for better connectivity. The Regional Connectivity Scheme of the civil aviation ministry would be in force for the next 10 years and the Centre would extend its help for starting airports in smaller cities or towns.
The Centre would provide concessions to the operators so that they could operate flights to the smaller towns. Speaking to newsmen later in Delhi, Rama Rao said the Centre had already given its technical clearance for Kothagudem airport. He wanted the Centre to handover the Begumpet airport to the state government so that it could be used for starting skill development academy. Later, Rama Rao called on Union heavy industries minister Anant Gangaram Geete with a request to open the cement factory, which was closed down, in Adilabad in 1998.