The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), State Government of Maharashtra and Airports Authority of India yesterday signed a tri-partite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), thereby kicking off the collaborative process of the three agencies coming together for successful launch of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). The MoU was signed at Mumbai in the presence of Minister of Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis. With this development, Maharashtra has formally agreed to provide the concessions required from the state governments in the RCS, thereby becoming the first state in the country to do so. The agreement was signed by Chairman, Airports Authority of India, Principal Secretary Civil Aviation (Maharashtra) and Joint Secretary (Ministry of Civil Aviation).
Earlier during the day, Raju and Fadnavis discussed various other aviation related issues in the state at length. The meeting was attended by R. N. Choubey, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Swadheen Kshatriya, Chief Secretary of the State and other officials. Amongst others, the subject of rehabilitation of slums (that have come up right next to the Mumbai International Airport) was deliberated upon in details. Early operationlization of several available airports and airstrips in the state (like Shirdi, Kolhapur, Nasik, Sholapur etc) also figured prominently in the discussions.
Later, Raju undertook an aerial survey of the proposed airport site for Navi Mumbai and took a status briefing from the officers concerned. He laid emphasis on timely completion of the project and conveyed that this can be achieved only if timelines for all sub-activities are adhered to.
Raju conveyed that he will be undertaking similar visits to several other States across the country to promote the Regional Connectivity Scheme and discuss other related issues in the States. He expressed hope that several airports in the State will see activity as flights take off from these places as a part of the RCS.
