GUWAHATI, Feb 14 ? The introduction of international flights from the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport to Bangkok from April will give a big boost to the overall development of the North-Eastern region, said the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Syed Shahnawaz Hussain. Addressing a Press conference here today, the Union Minister said that the introduction of the North-East in the international air map would definitely give a big boost to tourism in the region and the hotel industry will also be developed. He pointed out that apart from other places of tourist attraction, the golf courses available in the region would attract a large number of foreign tourists.
Syed Hussain said that Guwahati would be the 12th place in the country from where international flights would operate. He said that the fare to Bangkok would be around Rs 12,500 and the Chief Ministers of the NE States as well as prominent personalities would be taken in the inaugural flight. He said that the decision to introduce international flights to Bangkok was taken after a commercial survey as a number of tourists from the region visit Bangkok every year through Kolkata. He also revealed that the Airport Authorities have been directed to separate the domestic and international terminals, while, the runway in the LGB Airport is being extended to facilitate landing of Boeing 747 aircraft.
The Civil Aviation Minister said that 50 seater aircraft have been pressed into service to improve air communication within the region. However, he said that private flight operators would not be allowed to operate international flights from the region. Syed Hussain, who came to Assam to campaign for the BJP candidate for the Kaliabor Parliamentary by-polls, said that the response that his party received from the minority community was much better than what was expected. He said that in the last few years the communication gap between the BJP and ?the minorities has been reduced to a great extent and the minorities have realised that the BJP Government is a safe Government for them.? He said that the BJP-led Government has increased the Haj subsidy to Rs 20,000 per person, while, the Government has also formed the Minority Finance Development Corporation for the welfare of the minority communities.
Addressing mediapersons, the president of the State unit of the BJP, Sri Rajen Gohain said that frustrated over the growing popularity of the BJP the Congress workers damaged the banners and posters of the party. He also said that the State unit of the party would extend full support to the ongoing talks with the BLT for an amicable solution of the Bodo problem.