Mysore Airport expansion, new flights to Mumbai, Kochi, Tirupati and Goa discussed at Consultative Committee Meeting held in city for first time

Mysuru: For the first time, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Government of India, held its Consultative Committee Meeting in Mysuru city this morning, chaired by Union Minister of Civil Aviation  Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu.

The three-day meet, which began yesterday at Hotel Grand Mercure on New Sayyaji Rao Road, brought together senior leaders, Parliamentarians and officials to deliberate on key issues concerning India’s aviation sector.

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol and senior Ministry officials, including Secretary Sami Kumar Sinha, were present at the meeting.

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar welcoming Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and other delegates at Mysore Airport in Mandakalli this morning. Mysore Airport Director P.V. Usha Kumari is also seen.

Among those attending were MP from Jadavpur in West Bengal Saayoni Ghosh; MP from Akola in Maharashtra Anup Sanjay Dhotre; Darbhanga (Bihar) MP Gopal Jee Thakur; Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar; Rajya Sabha MP from Assam Kamakhya Prasad Tasa; Director General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) Rajesh Nirwan; Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy; Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner M.K. Savitha and Mysore Airport Director P.V. Usha Kumari.

The meeting focused on three key areas: UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik), the Centre’s regional connectivity scheme; Flying Training Organisations (FTOs), which play a key role in pilot training and skill development; and the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), the country’s premier national aviation training institute.

During the meeting, MP Yaduveer Wadiyar submitted a memorandum seeking improved air connectivity from Mysuru. He urged the Centre to introduce direct flights to Mumbai, Kochi, Tirupati and Goa, stating that better connectivity would boost tourism, trade, education, healthcare and investment.

He also sought expediting the ongoing expansion of Mysore Airport, pointing out that larger aircraft and more routes were needed to meet the growing demand for air travel.

Delegates including MPs Saayoni Ghosh, Anup Sanjay Dhotre, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Gopal Jee Thakur and Yaduveer Wadiyar at the Consultative Committee Meeting organised by Ministry of Civil Aviation at Hotel Grand Mercure.

“My commitment is not limited to short-term needs. Mysuru requires a long-term aviation strategy that positions the airport as a strong regional hub,” he said.

Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu responded positively and assured that Mysuru would receive its “rightful share” of improved air connectivity. “I am confident Mysuru will get better flight links. My office will immediately take up pending  works,” he said.

The agenda also included a review of policy implementation, regional connectivity and measures to strengthen domestic aviation infrastructure. Around 50 to 60 delegates are participating in the meeting, which is focusing on regional air connectivity, aviation infrastructure and training initiatives.

The meeting also highlighted the role of Mysore Airport in expanding affordable air travel under the UDAN scheme and strengthening aviation training infrastructure through FTOs and IGRUA.

The programme is being coordinated by the Airports Authority of India and includes cultural visits aimed at showcasing Mysuru’s heritage.

The delegates arrived in Mysuru yesterday via Bengaluru and visited Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam and Brindavan Gardens at Srirangapatna Taluk of Mandya District in the evening.

They are scheduled to visit Mysore Palace and Chamundi Hill this evening, followed by Srirangapatna tomorrow (Aug. 22). The delegation will leave Srirangapatna for  Bengaluru tomorrow.