Chhattisgarh’s Air Connectivity Plan Highlights Runway Extension and New Terminal

Chhattisgarh’s aviation strategy is gaining momentum after MP Brijmohan Agrawal’s recent meeting with the Union Civil Aviation Minister. The plan focuses on two critical projects: granting international airport status to Raipur’s Swami Vivekananda Airport and expanding Bilasa Devi Kevat Airport in Bilaspur.

The Bilaspur project proposes a runway stretch from the existing 1,500 metres to 2,885 metres, a change that will accommodate larger aircraft and increase flight frequency. Alongside the runway, a new air traffic control tower and a contemporary passenger terminal are slated for construction, aligning the facility with 4C standards.

For Raipur, the MP appealed for immediate classification as an international airport, noting that the city already functions as a vital air link for surrounding regions. Direct international services would reduce dependence on metropolitan hubs and lower travel costs for both passengers and cargo operators.

Both initiatives are expected to act as catalysts for regional economic growth, attracting investment, enhancing tourism, and generating skilled jobs. Agrawal called for priority clearance from the ministry to keep the projects on schedule.