Private carrier Kingfisher Airlines has agreed to operate two flights from Puducherry after the runway repair work is completed, Union Minister of State for Planning, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture, V. Narayanasamy, said at a press conference here on Saturday.
At a meeting convened by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel in New Delhi recently, the airline had agreed to operate flights on Puducherry-Bangalore and Puducherry-Coimbatore- Cochin sectors.
Kingfisher was planning a tie-up with Air France to provide connecting flight to those flying between Puducherry and Bangalore, Mr. Narayanasamy said.
“We hope to start operations in two months. The work on repairing the damaged portion of the runway is almost complete,” he said.
The private carrier will be operating 48-seater aircraft, he said, adding that once Air India procured smaller aircraft, it would also start operations from here.
The Chennai and Tirupati sectors were also under consideration.
The territorial administration had sought Rs. 200 crore from the Centre to take up expansion of the runway for operating bigger aircraft. The Centre had sanctioned Rs.30 crore to construct a new terminal, he said.
ESI medical college
Union Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge had promised to explore the possibility of opening an ESI medical college at Karaikal. On May 13, the foundation stone for a building for the PG centre of Pondicherry University would be laid.
IT Park
The proposed software park by the Software Technology Park of India (STPI), an autonomous body under the Centre, at Kalapet would become functional in another 18 months.
The STPI would be investing around Rs.125 crore to provide infrastructure for companies for establishing units in the park. Several major IT firms have evinced interest to set up base here, Mr. Narayanasamy said.
