Jamshedpur, Dec. 9: A K Srivastava, chairman, Jamshedpur Citizens Forum, has said that there has been a persistent demand from the citizen as well as representatives of trade, commerce and industry for establishing airport of international standard in Adityapur, Jamshedpur or nearby area.
In a press communiqu� issued on Wednesday, Srivastava pointed out that there is provision for locating airport in the Adityapur Master Plan, while the second suitable place for an airport is the abandoned military airport at nearby Chakulia.
He said that Jamshedpur MP Vidyut Varan Mahato has also taken up the matter with Prime Minister and Civil Aviation Minister and he hoped something will come out of the efforts in the near future.
Establishment of an airport will take time, as all construction needs to be of the highest quality level and inspection is required at various stages.
In the meantime, he made a few suggestions to alleviate the problems of passengers residing in the Kolhan region.
He is of the view that if implemented, his suggestions will also help in attracting investments in the region.
According to Srivastava, the only airport available in Jharkhand is in Ranchi 130 kilometers away. Now it takes 2 and half hour to cover the distance but if the four laning of NH-33 is completed non-stop journey from Jamshedpur to Ranchi Airport may take one and half hour.
Presently a passenger catching flight at Ranchi has to spend minimum 2500 Rs for negotiating the distance from Jamshedpur to Ranchi Airport and back. In almost all cases the private car of a passenger comes with driver this also covers risk on return journey.
The passenger has to report at least one and half hour before departure of flight to a particular destination. Only yesterday there has been a meeting convened by Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industry to increase the load of passenger because many flights from Ranchi onwards are not getting full load of passenger hence there is possibility of with running the flights.
At this context, Srivastava suggested that the government or all airlines together should put up an office at Jamshedpur and check-in of passenger and collection of bags made at Jamshedpur and all such passengers may be carried by air condition Volvo bus from Jamshedpur to Ranchi airport the maximum expense towards fare will not be more than Rs 1000, thereby saving much for a passenger to reach Ranchi airport.