First service under UDAN scheme in TN takes off

March 25, 2018 19:21

After a gap of about seven years, flight services between Salem and Chennai resumed today under the Centre's regional connectivity scheme 'UDAN.'

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan flagged off the first service, operated by private carrier Trujet, between the two cities, from here.

The flight, with a seating capacity of 72, will leave Salem at 11 AM and reach Chennai at 11.50 AM. From Chennai, it departs at 9.50 AM to reach Salem at 10.40 AM. The tickets are priced at Rs 1,499.

In his address, Palaniswami said today's launch was the first in the state under the UDAN scheme, and said it will benefit the neighbouring Erode, Namakkal, Karur, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts and also aid in industrial development.

He recalled the sops offered by the Tamil Nadu government under the UDAN scheme, including a proposal to provide a 20 per cent viability gap funding.

The government had earlier reduced VAT on ATF for flights operating under this regional connectivity scheme, he pointed out.

Vellore and Thanjavur were next in line to be covered under the UDAN scheme in the state and steps were being taken to launch services from the said districts, he said. -- PTI

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