Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel, Jyotiraditya Scindia, says that he attaches importance only to his work and remains focused on the responsibilities of the ministries that have been given to him by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Even since taking over as the civil aviation minister, Scindia’s effort has been to meet the expectations of PM Modi and people alike. He claims his ministerial stint so far has been successful. “I will continue to fulfil the responsibilities honestly and sincerely,” Scindia asserts.
In a conversation with The Daily Guardian, Jyotiraditya Scindia lists the achievements of the Modi government as well. He says that the expansion and development of airports and betterment of aviation services across the country, the Vande Bharat Mission, Operation Ganga, etc. are some of the several achievements of the Modi government. Scindia stated that the government spent Rs 12,692 crore on airport construction in the last one year. Under the Vande Bharat Mission, over 3.15 crore passengers travelled by 1.25 lakh flights.
An amount of Rs 8,914 crore is being spent on the international airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh. Equipped with modern and advanced technology, this airport will be different from any other in the world. Similarly, a Rs. 488-crore airport is being built at Kushinagar. Scindia also revealed that Rs 325 crore is being spent on the construction of a new terminal at Dehradun airport. Deoghar, a famous Hindu pilgrimage city for Lord Shiva devotees, has been connected by air. A total of Rs 400 crore will be spent on developing the airport in this town.
“Our government’s focus is on ensuring air connectivity in all significant towns and cities,” Scindia said. A 530-crore airport is being constructed at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra. Similarly, Rs 450 crores will be spent on an integrated terminal building at the airport in Agartala. The CCEA has already given approval for the Rs. 1305 crore airport at Dholera in Gujarat in June. Scindia further informed that a tender has also been awarded for the run-way and taxiway areas for the same in the month of July itself.
The site clearance for Mandi airport in Himachal Pradesh has been given. Eight airports at various places, including Tezu, Keshod, Deoghar, Gondia, Sindhudurg, and Kushinagar, have been operationalised. Similarly, heliports at Mandi, Rampur, and Haldwani are also operational. Around 66 routes have been operationalised.
Scindia said that various policies have been put in place aimed at improving safety. Drone rules have also been relaxed. The helicopter policy to propel growth of the civil aviation sector is also successful. According to the Civil Aviation Minister, the rules on building height have been amended, following which building owners will get relief. Several innovative decisions have been taken, like the setting up of the flight training organisation. Approval for 340 posts for air traffic control has been given, Scindia said. He added that under Operation Ganga, 22,500 Indians were brought back from war-torn Ukraine. Several steps were taken like KrishUdaan, organising Yoga Prabha, International Yoga Day camp at Gwalior Fort, etc. Scindia is of the view that civil aviation is set for a boom, with daily domestic air passenger traffic likely to go up significantly within the next year. Undeniably, civil aviation has an extremely important role to play as it is an industry integral to India’s development. With this in view, the Civil Aviation Ministry is implementing various policies.
Scindia said that ever since he was given ministerial tasks, he has focused only on his work and not on politics. Scindia, who left the Congress and joined the BJP, was given ministerial responsibility in July last year. He has taken several key decisions in the ministry in the last year. Satisfied with his work, PM Modi has given him additional responsibility in the Ministry of Steel.