Modi’s Northeast-Asia Boost: Through A Rs 100-Crore Plan, Guwahati Airport Will Serve As Window To Seven Countries

Giving connectivity to the northeast a big shot in the arm, an international air connectivity scheme has been cleared by the Ministry of Civil Aviation that now allows Guwahati airport to connect with seven other countries.

Flights from Guwahati will operate to countries such as Singapore, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia and Vietnam. Government of India will take on the burden of giving viability funding for the aforementioned project at an estimated cost of Rs 100 crore for a span of three years, Economic Times has reported.

ET quoted Ravi Capoor, Additional Chief Secretary to the Department of Industries and Commerce as saying, “Airports Authority of India, on behalf of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Government of Assam, has invited bids for selection of airlines under the International air connectivity scheme (IACS) Udan.”

Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal was quoted by Economic Times as saying, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the northeast is heading towards a new era of development. The new-generation entrepreneurs can fuel a business mentality, which has set in motion an industrial development in the region.”

The Bangladesh Cabinet has reportedly approved a draft of the proposal. The agreement enables access for India to sea ports at Chittagong and Mongla. This will help in the transportation of goods to the various states in the northeast.