Guwahati to Become Air Connectivity Hub in Northeast, Says Mahesh Sharma

New Delhi: Focusing on North East, government is making a concerted effort to make an air connectivity hub at Guwahati airport at an estimated cost of Rs 1200 crore to attract more tourists in the region.

Besides Guwahati, airports at Agartala, Sikkim and Arunachal are also undergoing makeover to facilitate hassle-free movement of tourists in the region.

"We have taken new initiatives in connectivity because it is crucial for tourism. Work is going on to make Guwahati as a hub for air connectivity for the North Eastern region at an estimated cost of Rs 1200 crore, Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said here at the curtain raising function of the International Tourism Mart at Gangtok from October 14.

He said upgradation work is also going on at Agartala and Tezu airports at an estimated cost of Rs Rs 480 crore and Rs 90 crore work respectively.

Besides, Mr Sharma who is also Minister of State of Civil Aviation said "a heli hub is also operational at Guwahati by Pawan Hans. So connectivity is happening a very big way in NE."

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always given importance to tourism. "Considering the importance of the NE, he has given instruction to all Ministers to visit NE states and spend a one or two days," Mr Sharma said.

Referring to Swadesh Darshan projects, Mr Sharma said three schemes worth Rs 250 crore has been launched in the region at Majuli, Tamang and Kamakhya temple.

Mr Sharma said holding of the international travel marts in north east is paying dividends as number of arrival of foreign tourists has witnessed a significant increase.

There were 1.19 lakh foreign tourists in 2014, a growth of 39.8 per cent against 27.9 per cent increase over the previous year registered in North East.

Mr Sharma said representatives from 27 countries including Russia, Japan, Australia, Singapore, France, US and UK will be participating in the the three-day mart from October 14.

"With the meet of buyers of domestic and international meeting at the mart, I hope that tourism specially in the NE will get a good boost," he said.

Mr Sharma said attempt is being made to showcase largely untapped area as NE has many such areas.

Our aim is to attract one per cent of world tourists into India by 2020 and we want to achieve the target in a faster way, he said.