Give Jaipur an Expressway
While saying that Jaipur-udaipur air connectivity is an urgent need, Bhim Singh, Chairman, Rajasthan Chapter, IATO, adds that a Jaipur-delhi Expressway is also needed.
The
opening of the Yamuna Expressway, it seems, has opened many opportunities by connecting Delhi to the tourist centre of Agra. In fact, key stakeholders in tourism also desire to have such expressways in their region.
“Jaipur-Delhi Highway should be constructed on similar lines of the Yamuna Expressway. The road connectivity between JaipurRanthambore and Jaipur-Bundi-Kota needs urgent attention,”
said Bhim Singh. But, Singh insists that the lack of air connectivity in the key destinations within Rajasthan restricts growth of tourism in more than one way.
“The main hurdle is the air connectivity and the availability of only a few roads leading to the important tourist destinations. There is no flight between JaipurUdaipur and Jaipur-Jodhpur for the last two years. In fact, more Greenfield airports should be developed and smaller airlines should be promoted between major tourist attractions like Kishangarh (Ajmer), Bikaner, Kota & Chittaurgarh,” said Singh.
“Jaipur Airport is likely to be closed for renovation and therefore, the flights here will be re-scheduled. This will continue for 18-24 months, which is likely to affect the tourism to Rajasthan. Arrival of flights should be regulated in a way that the airport extension work is not disturbed and maximum flights land at Jaipur Airport. Besides this, Rajasthan Tourism department should be given more budgetary allocation in the state budget and from the central budget. The state allocation for development of tourism is only 40 crore as against the other state budgets ranging between
200-300 crore,” he added.