RAIPUR
In a historic move for regional travel, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurated direct flight services connecting Ambikapur to New Delhi and Kolkata yesterday.
The launch from Maa Mahamaya Airport marks a turning point for the tribal-dominated Surguja division, bringing modern air travel to a region that has long waited for better connectivity.
The new services, operated on 72-seater aircraft, will run twice a week. The Delhi flight started today with a fare of ₹6,500, while the Kolkata service is set to take off on April 2 for ₹6,000. Both routes include a convenient stop in Bilaspur, linking three major hubs. For locals, these flights are more than just a convenience; they are a gateway to better business, quicker medical care, and a boost in tourism.
Chief Minister Sai highlighted that this is just the beginning. Plans are already in motion to connect the state to holy cities like Ayodhya and Varanasi. To support this growth, airports in Jagdalpur and Raigarh are being expanded, and a new cargo hub is planned for Raipur. Just yesterday, the CM also kicked off night flight operations in Bilaspur, ensuring that emergency and commercial planes can now land safely after dark.
Spread over 365 acres, the upgraded Ambikapur airport represents a ₹80 crore investment in the state’s future. Leaders believe this “historic moment” will save hours of exhausting road travel and integrate Chhattisgarh’s northern districts into the national mainstream, making the sky the limit for local development.