Chandigarh, September 3- Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal today flagged off the Hisar-Chandigarh Air Shuttle service under the Regional Connectivity Service flight from Hisar Airport, Hisar. The Chief Minister also took this first flight as the first passenger. With this, the dream of Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi that a common man also travel by air is also realized.

While interacting with media persons before taking the flight today, the Chief Minister, said that today, is a very important and historic day for the people of Haryana. With Hisar Airport, the dream of many people of Haryana has been fulfilled, as now they could take air flights from their own States’ airport, unlike earlier, they had to go to Chandigarh or Delhi airports for air travel. He said that Hisar Airport would be linked with Rapid Rail Task Force System from Delhi and the distance from Delhi to Hisar could be covered in just 90 minutes. For this, the work on railway line between Rohtak and Hansi is in progress.

The Chief Minister said that today, the first flight has been started from Hisar to Chandigarh and its one-way fare has been fixed at Rs 1,674 per ticket. The Chief Minister thanked the Managing Director, SpiceJet and other officers for providing air services in Haryana. He also appreciated the efforts of Additional Chief Secretary, Civil Aviation Department, Mr. Devender Singh and former Advisor, Civil Aviation, Mr. Ashok Sangwan and other officers of his team, for their tireless efforts for making it possible.

In response to a question, the Chief Minister said that initially, SpiceJet would provide service of two air flights between Hisar and Chandigarh, daily. The time has been fixed from Hisar at 8 am and 4 pm and from Chandigarh at 9.30 am and 5.30 pm. On being asked about the ticket booking, the Chief Minister said that SpiceJet is opening its own call center at the airport and after a week, the process of advance booking would start, for which the company has to complete some formalities on behalf of the Central Government. He said that after Hisar and Chandigarh, SpiceJet would gradually expand its air services from Hisar to Delhi, Jammu, Dehradun and Shimla.

The Chief Minister said that today, air travel is being started through a small seven seater airplane and later, 18 seater and larger airplanes would also be able to fly from there.

He said that this airport would be developed as an international level airport in three phases. For this, 4,200 acres of land has been made available and the process of providing 3,000 acres of additional land is in progress. The Chief Minister said that the length of the runway which is 4,000 feet at present, would be increased to 10,000 feet, which is a required set criteria for an international level airport. He said that hangers would be constructed in the second phase and in the third phase, the work of increasing the length of the runway and other civil works would be completed. He said that Hisar Airport would be the most suitable option to reduce the air traffic pressure of Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. In the third phase, the air companies would also be able to use this airport as an MRO for their airplanes.

Replying to another question, the Chief Minister said that SpiceJet is also providing 10 aircrafts. Now, the youth of the state would also be able to take a commercial pilot license as SpiceJet with 100 inducts is also ready for training. The Chief Minister said that 10 per cent seats would be reserved for the youth of Haryana origin and there would also be 50 per cent relaxation in fees. Apart from this, the company has offered to provide one seat, free of cost to girls to further the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign. For this initiative, the Chief Minister expressed special thanks to the Chief Operating Officer of the company, Mr. Manjir Singh, on behalf of the Haryana Government.

Additional Chief Secretary, Civil Aviation Department, Mr. Devender Singh said that with the inspiration of the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal, the air travel has become possible to start from Hisar Airport. Last year, on August 15, the Chief Minister inaugurated the process of expansion after obtaining the license for the airport from Hisar. And, better connectivity is also a part of our industrial policy, he added.

Others present on the occasion included MP, Mr Brijender Singh, Rajya Sabha, MP, Major Gen. (Retd.) D.P. Vats, BJP, State President, Mr Subhash Barala and MLA, Mr Kamal Gupta.