Rupsi airport gets regular flight under RCS-UDAN
HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, May 8: In its continuous endeavour to link under-served and unserved airports through regional connectivity scheme routes, Airports Authority of India (AAI) has started its regular flight services at Rupsi Airport in Dhubri district on Saturday.
The first commercial flight of Flybig Airline landed at 12:07 pm on Saturday marking the beginning of a new era at Rupsi and adjoining areas.
As a gesture of welcome, a water cannon salute was accorded to the incoming flight by the Rupsi Airport officials. All safety checks and mandatory security arrangements were done prior to the arrival. Considering the Covid-19 guidelines, the proper marking and distancing measures were also ensured for all passengers.
Earlier, a trial flight was tested and operational requirements were checked successfully on May 5.
Altogether 24 passengers arrived from Guwahati on the inaugural flight at Rupsi on Saturday. Later it left for Kolkata at around 12:40 pm.
Informing about the services, airport in-charge Jyotirmoy Barua said that it was a historic moment for everyone at Rupsi as regular flight services had started under the RCS-UDAN programme of the government.
“It will ensure affordable flying for all, especially the lower income group. UDAN flight provides cheap air fares for short destinations, connecting the unconnected. I am happy that everything was smooth and coordination from all agencies are appreciated, expecting the same from everyone here at Rupsi,” he added.
“The Flybig Airline was awarded routes under UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme of the Union government to operate flight service at Rupsi by ministry of civil aviation through a bidding process. It will operate flights on Guwahati-Rupsi-Kolkata route and back. Initially it will operate on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday as informed by the airline.
The AAI has re-developed this World War-II air strip of the state at an estimated cost of Rs. 69 crore. The foundation stone for this re-development project was laid by chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal in February, 2019.
Spread across 337 acres, the newly-developed airport has a terminal building measuring 3,500 sqm. Equipped with 10 check-in counters, the terminal is designed to manage about 200 passengers during peak hours. The newly built runway is suitable for landing ATR-72 type aircraft.
The operationalisation of Rupsi Airport will help boost the local economy of the Bodoland area and provide better connectivity to the air travellers of the adjacent districts from Dhubri, Bongaigaon, Kokarajhar, Goalpara as well as districts in the neighbouring states of Meghalaya, West Bengal and parts of Bhutan as well.
Arriving first passengers were welcomed by the airport in-charge and the airline staff, honouring them with traditional gamocha.
BTC executive members Ranjit Kumar Basumatary, Ukil Muchahary, Arup Kumar Dey, MLAs Jayanta Basumatary and Urkhao Gwra Brahma along with former MLA Banendra Muchahary welcomed the arriving and departing pax of the first flight, with traditional attire like gamocha, aronai and Rajbongshi gamcha.
Kokrajhar deputy commissioner Bhaskar Phukan, superintendent of police Rakesh Roshan were also present in the programme.