Uttar Pradesh government today announced that direct flight services between cities of the state. (Representational Image)
Uttar Pradesh government today announced that direct flight services between cities of the state would be launched within a year.
"Direct flight service from Lucknow to Varanasi, Agra, Gorakhpur and Allahabad will start from 2016-17," Principal Secretary Tourism Navneet Sehgal told reporters here.
Asked about the proposal of Air India, he said, "Air India has proposed to start 70-seater flight between different cities, but initially filling this number of seats does not seem practical."
"There were some issues related to practicality which have been sorted out. We want that 20 seater service should be started between the cities and with increase in passenger traffic planes having higher capacity should be added," Mr Sehgal said.
He said in 2015-16, 20 crore tourists visited the state and added that in 2014-15 UP was in second position in terms of domestic tourists and third in terms of foreign tourists.
The Principal Secretary said to increase the income of Tourism Corporation, 37 properties, which were not in use, would be given on lease.
He said the pre-bid process started today which produced encouraging results and about 55 people participated in it.
"February 14 will be observed as UP Tourism Day.
Awareness campaign will be carried out in every district to promote tourism. Hot air balloon show will be organised in Lucknow. A slogan competition on Lucknow, UP and tourism is being organised and 150 successful participants will be given free hot air balloon rides," he said.
Mr Sehgal said a vintage car rally would be held for Imambara and Ansal township on the occasion of tourism day.
He said cultural programmes would be organised at Janeshwar Mishra park to which renowned singers like Shilpa Rao would be invited.
The Principal Secretary said a photo exhibition would also be organised along with a food festival in which Awadhi cuisine would be presented.