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In a major step to enhance connectivity within Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the 'PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Seva' on Thursday. The event marked the beginning of the first flight from Bhopal to Jabalpur. The Chief Minister himself distributed boarding passes to passengers and inaugurated a new ticket-booking counter, symbolizing the official start of this new air service.
This new initiative aims to connect several major cities in Madhya Pradesh by air, including Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, Rewa, Khajuraho, and Singrauli. The service is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity, promoting both tourism and business travel within the state.
The air service, operated by MPTB in partnership with Jet Serv Aviation Private Limited (Flyola), is run on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis. The new service significantly reduces travel time between key cities. For instance, a trip from Bhopal to Indore, which typically takes several hours by train or road, will now only take 55 minutes by air.
Sheo Shankar Shukla, the Principal Secretary and Managing Director of MPTB, expressed optimism about the future of the new service. "Based on the initial response, we plan to expand the service. We are starting with six-seater twin-engine planes, but we aim to upgrade to 11-seater and then 20-seater aircraft to accommodate more passengers," Shukla told PTI.
To encourage people to use the new service, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) has announced a 50% discount on fares for the first 30 days. This discount makes the new air service an attractive option, as some travelers have noted that the discounted fare is only slightly higher than the fare of the Vande Bharat Express train. This makes flying a faster and more viable alternative to train travel.
Shukla also emphasized the safety and standards of the new air service. He assured that the aircraft meet international safety standards and that the service will be regular and competitively priced. "These planes are very safe and meet international standards. We are going to provide the best and regular service at competitive prices," he added.
This new intra-state air service is expected to revolutionize travel within Madhya Pradesh. It offers faster, safer, and more convenient options for residents and visitors alike. With this service, the travel time between key cities will be significantly reduced, making it easier for people to move around the state.
The launch of the 'PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Seva' is a significant step towards improving the infrastructure and connectivity in Madhya Pradesh. It is also expected to boost the state's economy by promoting tourism and facilitating business travel. The government's decision to offer discounted fares for the first month is likely to attract many travelers to try out the new service.
Overall, the 'PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Seva' represents a major advancement in the state's efforts to improve connectivity and provide better travel options for its residents and visitors. With plans for future expansion and upgrades, this new air service is poised to become a key part of Madhya Pradesh's transportation network.
