Khajuraho/New Delhi, July 31 — BJP MP from Khajuraho V.D. Sharma has met Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, urging the Centre to expand flight connectivity from the Madhya Pradesh tourist destination, seeking direct flights to more cities and new routes under the UDAN scheme.
During the late Thursday meeting, Sharma requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation to increase direct flights from Khajuraho to Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi and Bhopal. He also sought new regional routes under the Centre's UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme.
According to a statement issued by Sharma's office, he said Khajuraho Airport now has modern infrastructure and the focus should be on improving air connectivity to support tourism and economic growth.
“Khajuraho is one of India's most important heritage destinations. Better air connectivity will make travel easier for tourists and boost tourism, hospitality, local businesses, employment and investment in the Bundelkhand region,” Sharma said.
The statement said Civil Aviation Minister Naidu assured the MP that the Ministry would examine the proposals and take appropriate steps to improve air connectivity from Khajuraho.
The meeting comes at a time when Khajuraho Airport has remained without scheduled commercial flight operations since July 1. Airport officials have said regular services are unlikely to resume before September or October.
The issue gained attention this week after Khajuraho Airport topped the Airports Authority of India's (AAI) Customer Satisfaction Index despite having no scheduled commercial flights.
The index measures passenger experience and airport services, not flight operations.
Airport Director Santosh Singh had earlier told IANS that commercial flights are expected to resume around September-October.
Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was earlier connected to Delhi and Varanasi. Stakeholders have been demanding restoration and expansion of flight services, saying better connectivity is essential to realise the full tourism and economic potential of the region.