Prime Minister’s vision of affordable air travel gains momentum as new routes and night operations promise boost to trade, tourism and regional growth
TFP Bureau, Raipur, March 30, 2026: Chhattisgarh marked a significant milestone in its aviation journey on Sunday as Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai launched the Ambikapur–Delhi–Kolkata air service and inaugurated night and all-weather operations at Bilaspur’s Bilasa Devi Airport, strengthening the state’s regional and national connectivity.
Addressing a virtual programme from the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose State Police Academy in Chandkhuri, the Chief Minister said the expansion of air services reflects Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of making air travel affordable and accessible to every citizen. He remarked that the concept of enabling even a person wearing simple “Hawai chappal” to board a flight is gradually becoming a reality in Chhattisgarh.
Ambikapur Connected to National Hubs
The newly launched air service will directly connect Ambikapur, the headquarters of Surguja division, with Delhi and Kolkata, two major metropolitan hubs. The service is expected to significantly enhance trade, tourism, healthcare access, and educational mobility for residents of northern Chhattisgarh.
Congratulating the people of the Surguja region, Shri Sai said the new service was made possible through the persistent efforts of public representatives and the local Member of Parliament. He added that direct connectivity with the national capital and eastern India’s commercial centre would stimulate economic activity, encourage private investment, and create new employment opportunities.
Ambikapur holds strategic importance as an administrative, educational, and commercial centre. The region is endowed with abundant forests, mineral wealth, and agricultural produce. It also boasts popular tourist destinations such as Mainpat, Tatapani, and several scenic waterfalls, all of which are expected to benefit from improved accessibility.
Flight Schedule and Operations
The flights will be operated by Alliance Air four days a week under the approved schedule.
Delhi Route (Monday and Wednesday):
- Monday (Flight No. 91613): Departs Delhi and reaches Ambikapur via Bilaspur at 11:35 am. The return flight leaves Ambikapur at 12:00 noon for Delhi.
- Wednesday (Flight No. 91614): Departs Delhi and arrives in Ambikapur at 10:25 am. The return flight departs at 12:00 noon via Bilaspur to Delhi.
Kolkata Route (Thursday and Saturday):
- Saturday (Flight No. 91763): Departs Kolkata and arrives in Ambikapur via Bilaspur at 10:00 am, returning to Kolkata at 10:25 am.
- Thursday (Flight No. 91765): Departs Kolkata and reaches Ambikapur at 08:50 am. The return flight departs at 09:15 am via Bilaspur.
Ticket bookings have commenced on the airline’s official website, providing passengers with options for travel in both directions.
Development of Maa Mahamaya Airport
Maa Mahamaya Airport at Darima has been developed under the Government of India’s regional connectivity scheme UDAN. Originally built in 1950, the airstrip has undergone substantial upgrades, including the extension of the runway from 1,500 metres to 1,800 metres to accommodate larger aircraft such as ATR.
Spread across approximately 365 acres, the airport has received an investment of ₹48.25 crore for civil and electrical works, executed in compliance with DGCA standards. The upgraded terminal building can handle 72 passengers at a time and includes modern facilities, parking space for nearly 100 vehicles, and a four-lane approach road connecting the terminal.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma said the deployment of a 72-seater aircraft at Ambikapur (Darima) would significantly strengthen connectivity between Delhi, Ambikapur, and Kolkata. He noted that expansion of air services is also underway in Bilaspur and Jagdalpur, ensuring balanced development across regions.
Minister Shri Rajesh Agrawal and Surguja MP Shri Chintamani Maharaj joined the event virtually and extended their greetings to the Chief Minister.
Bilaspur Airport Achieves 3C IFR Upgrade
In another landmark development, Bilaspur’s Bilasa Devi Airport has been upgraded to the 3C IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) category, enabling night operations and all-weather flight capability. The Chief Minister inaugurated the enhanced facility and took the first flight from Bilaspur to Raipur on Sunday evening.
Describing the upgrade as a “new era of reliable and uninterrupted air travel,” Shri Sai said the transition from Visual Flight Rules (VFR) to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) has effectively resolved operational challenges caused by low visibility conditions.
Earlier, under VFR operations, flights required high minimum visibility, often resulting in cancellations or diversions during fog or adverse weather. With IFR capability now in place, aircraft can operate safely even in low-visibility conditions, significantly improving reliability and passenger confidence.
The ₹31 crore upgrade, approved by the DGCA on February 6, 2026, includes installation of advanced navigational systems such as DVOR and DME by the Airports Authority of India. Additional infrastructure improvements include enhanced runway, taxiway, apron, and approach lighting systems. The runway strip has been widened from 140 metres to 280 metres, ensuring improved safety standards.
The upgraded facility will now support scheduled and non-scheduled flights round-the-clock, including emergency and medical evacuation services during night hours. Authorities said the development will reduce response times in critical situations and save lives.
Boost to Regional Economy
Officials and aviation authorities believe that the combined expansion of Ambikapur connectivity and Bilaspur’s IFR capability will accelerate regional growth. Improved air access is expected to attract investors, facilitate faster movement of goods and professionals, and integrate Chhattisgarh more closely with national markets.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the state government remains committed to expanding air services under schemes such as ‘CG Vayu’ and strengthening cargo operations at Raipur Airport, enabling local products to reach national and international destinations.
With strengthened connectivity in the north, central, and southern parts of the state, Chhattisgarh is steadily positioning itself as an emerging aviation hub in central India, aligning infrastructure development with economic aspirations and inclusive growth.
