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Gaya
Airport climbed a rung higher as the airport witnessed the
commencement of their first international flight on November
12 as SriLankan Airlines initiated its operation on the Colombo-Gaya-Delhi-Colombo
route. The same day, the Airport Authority of India (AAI)
inducted the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the
airport. Syed Shahnawaz Hussain, minister for Civil Aviation,
took the salute with an induction ceremonial parade and guard
of honour.
With the induction of CISF at the Gaya Airport, the AAI has
completed the induction of CISF in 45 airports out of 65 operational
ones. The decision to induct CISF at all functional airports
was taken in view of the Colombo airport blast and the September
11 terrorist attacks that shook the aviation industry.
In tune with upgrading the Gaya airport to international standards,
AAI has also taken up the construction of an ultramodern new
terminal building at the airport. Commenting on the facilities
that will be available S K Narula, chairman, AAI said: "The
new terminal building will be centrally air-conditioned with
a capacity of 500 passengers. It is being built at a cost
of Rs 49.92 crore and will have aerobridges, ceremonial lounge,
new technical block-cum-control tower, safety equipments,
car park, runway and taxiway edge lights, navigational aids."
Under the first phase, AAI has completed works of strengthening
the runway, construction of new apron with new taxi track,
development of approach road, provision of PAPI etc at a cost
of Rs 15 crore.
The SriLankan Airlines flight UL 195, an Airbus A320 aircraft,
will depart Colombo every Tuesday at 12:05 hours to arrive
in Gaya at 15:05 hours. The return flight UL 196 will depart
Gaya at 16:05 hours and arrive in Colombo (via Delhi) at 23:15
hours. The flight to Gaya will travel onto Delhi before returning
to Colombo. Therefore, while the onward flight from Colombo
will travel non-stop to Gaya, the return flight will operate
via Delhi.
No doubt the induction of CISF and imparting the airport an
international status will go a long way in promoting tourism
in Bihar just as the Ministry of Tourism is going all out
to promote the Buddhist circuit.
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