Agra: An RTI query has found that in the last four years only 35 tourists arrived and departed from Agra airport on an average per day, compared to over 20,000 domestic and international tourists in total who arrive in Agra every day. The data was revealed by Airports Authority of India (AAI) in answer to an RTI query by secretary of an NGO Agra Development Foundation (ADF) and senior lawyer KC Jain.The RTI reply has also revealed that in the last four years (till June 31, 2018), a total of 1,710 flights arrived and departed from Agra airport. In this period, 855 passenger aircraft landed in Agra. The average of this comes to one flight operating every two days.According to ADF, the low number of flights is the main reason why tourists visiting Agra to see world heritage sites and local exporters of shoes, handicraft and carpets avoid using the local airport.Jain said, “For convenience of tourists, Agra must have air connectivity with major cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Goa, Kolkata and Hyderabad. We are going to write to the civil aviation ministry to take the initiative in this regard so that tourism in Agra can flourish.”“Due to eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), several industries are not allowed to operate in the Agra. This leaves tourism industry as the main source of employment in the city. But lack of flights is causing a hurdle in growth of tourism which is an unfortunate situation,” Jain added.Shoe exporter and ADF president Puran Dawar has requested civil aviation minister Suresh Prabhu to look into the requirement for air connectivity of Agra with major cities. As construction of a new civil enclave is going to take place, there is requirement for private operators to start new flights.In 2017, the state government and AAI had signed a memorandum of understanding for development of civil enclave terminal as an extension of Kheria Airbase. After this Rs 68 crore was released by the state government for land acquisition.In March 2017 the state public works department started construction of a boundary wall of the civil terminal at an estimated cost of around Rs 3.48 crore.AAI had proposed purchase of additional 2.5 hectares of land to develop infrastructure for landing and parking of large aircraft. For this, the state government has already released Rs 18 crore.

Stay updated with all the Agra Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.