Panel set up to look into NE aviation woes

NEW DELHI, March 8: A high-level committee has been constituted by Union Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Yadav to asses airport infrastructure in the Northeast. The committee will resolve aviation problems of the region in a time bound manner, Yadav said on Thursday. The committee comprises representatives from the civil aviation ministry, Indian Airlines, Airports Authority of India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Pawan Hans helicopters. Members of Parliament from the Northeast have also been asked to suggest ways to improve the sector in the region. While expressing concern at the poor connectivity of the region, Yadav said since the phasing out of smaller aircraft including Fokker Friendship, Donniers and Avross and the closure of Vayudoot the number of stations connected by air had been reduced. According to Yadav, the ministry was evaluating the proposal of purchasing 50-seater aircraft. The decision on 50-seater craft is pending for some years now with every civil aviationminister promising to go ahwead with the deal. Yadav said the Northeast would be better connected once aircraft on dry lease were inducted into the existing fleet of the Indian Airlines. He also proposed the creation of a National Civil Aviation Fund. The fund is proposed to be created out of the contribution from the Centre through the Northeast Council, state governments, the Airlines and Airports Authority of India. The fund will have contributions from the profitable routes as well.