Cut in Delhi-D’sala airfare sought

Our Correspondent

Palampur, March 31

The Kangra Travel Agents’ Association on Sunday appealed to Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu to reduce airfare between Dharamsala and New Delhi, which it said was beyond the reach of the common man at present.

Members of the association said since the tourist season was about to begin, the Centre should implement the new civil aviation policy for domestic flights announced by it last year, fixing the airfare for one-hour flights at Rs 2,500.

They said the high air tariff between New Delhi and Dharamsala and back had adversely affected the state’s tourism industry. Currently, one-way fare was between Rs 15,000 and Rs 18,000.

Spokespersons for the association Naveen Sareen and Pavi Sareen said in the absence of any check, the airlines had increased the fares beyond the reach of the common man.

Sareen said the fare between New Delhi-Bangalore, New Delhi-Chennai, New Delhi–Hyderabad and New Delhi-Kochhi, where flight duration was over three hours, was less than Rs 6,000. On the other hand, for one-hour journey between New Delhi-Dharmasala, more than Rs 12,000 was being charged.

The association urged the Union minister to direct airlines to cut the fare with immediate effect. It also sought expansion of the runway at the Dharamsala airport.