Maharashtra became the first state to sign an agreement with the civil aviation ministry on Tuesday, to develop 10 almost non-functional regional airports/airstrips helping move closer to reality the Centre's ambitious regional connectivity plan. The agreement was inked in the presence of Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and top Airport Authority officials. Out of these airstrips at Shirdi and Nanded are state government-owned and Fadnavis said the Nanded airport will be functional from November. As per the agreement, the state will reduce the local tax on aviation fuel from existing 10% to 1% for 10 years, apart from providing essential land free of cost, Fadnavis said. Earlier addressing the media, Raju had said almost all other states are ready to sign the RCS.

Source: dna August 23, 2016 18:22 UTC