Raipur, CG: Former Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo on Friday urged Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to issue a license to Maa Mahamaya Airport Darima and start commercial flights soon.

TS Singh Deo met Jyotiraditya Scindia in the Civil Aviation Ministry established at Rajiv Bhawan located at Safdarjung Airport.

Scindia has informed that 4 small airports in the country are his priority, which also includes Ambikapur Airport. The licensing process for the airport is in the advanced stage.

Soon, air service will be made available to the residents of Ambikapur as well as Surguja area.

In discussion with Singh Deo has requested that initially flights from Ambikapur to Raipur and Ambikapur to Varanasi should be started on priority basis. The Union Minister agreed to it.

Two years ago, the previous Congress government of Chhattisgarh had approved an amount of about Rs 43 crore for the upgradation of Maa Mahamaya Airport. Using the amount, the airport was prepared for the purpose of landing 72-seater commercial planes as well as civil flights.

In May 2023, the DGCA team, after examining the airport, had asked to rectify some shortcomings. In July 2023, these shortcomings were rectified and its report was sent to DGCA. Since then the licensing process of Darima Airport was pending.