Civil Aviation dept to invite fresh bids for Hisar routes

Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 19

After the Civil Aviation Department received only one bid of non-licensed non-scheduled operator for functioning on four routes, the department has decided to invite fresh bids after incentivising the state-run UDAAN (Uday Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme on the lines of the Central scheme.

Based on discussion with private operators, the government has decided to include operators with smaller planes (those with less than nine seats) for the Hisar-Delhi, Hisar-Chandigarh-Dehradun, Hisar-Chandigarh-Jammu, Hisar-Jaipur and Hisar-Chandigarh routes.

However, it has been laid down that in case of two bids on the same route, the operator with the higher number of seats will be preferred.

The department is open to introducing other routes that operators may want to fly on.

Sources say the conditions have been made more inclusive to attract bidders and the relaxation is likely to work in favour of the project. However, with the model code of conduct in place, these bids will be opened only after the elections are over.

While the aim of the Centre’s scheme is to connect unserved or under-served airports of the country, the state-run scheme is aimed at “popularising” the Hisar airport.

Though the Centre is considering some routes in its plan, the state, as a back-up plan, is moving ahead with inviting bids under the state-run UDAAN scheme, under which, 80 per cent “viability gap funding” will not come from the Centre, but will be borne by the state. The government has given its nod.

“Tweaking conditions to open up alternatives will encourage greater participation and we are hopeful of making routes operational soon,” said a senior officer.