Aurangabad: In what could be a shot in the arm for the local tourism and industry, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has hinted at including Aurangabad in the third phase of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) or Udan.A social media post from the ministry about the rollout of the upcoming scheme has a photograph of the world famous Ajanta-Ellora Caves. It states that the scheme will focus on iconic tourist destinations, including the sacred Buddhist circuits.Various associations of industry, trade and tourism in the city, which have been pursuing the Ministry of Civil Aviation for better air connectivity to and from Aurangabad, have welcomed the step.Chamber of Marathwada for Industries and Agriculture (CMIA) has been meeting the civil aviation ministry officials to discuss the issue. CMIA delegation comprising Prasad Kokil, Ram Bhogale, Ulhas Gaoli, Munish Sharma and Ashish Garde visited Delhi on June 12 and held a meeting with a team of senior officers at the office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.At the tourism and civil aviation conference held in March in Hyderabad, the ministry called for suggestion for Udan on behalf of the tourism industry. Consequently, the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) pitched for Agra-Bhopal-Udaipur-Aurangabad flight under Udan and the resumption of Udaipur-Aurangabad-Udaipur regular flight.Subsequently, a stakeholder meeting was held in July in Aurangabad in the presence of joint secretaries, ministry of civil aviation Usha Padhee and Rubina Ali to discuss the issue of increasing air connectivity to Aurangabad, explore opportunities for air traffic growth and international connection at Aurangabad Airport.Representatives from different airlines participated in the discussion. The meeting was significant in the backdrop of the visit of civil aviation minister Suresh Prabhu in April. During the visit, Prabhu had stated that the tourism of Aurangabad had taken a hit due to poor connectivity.On August 8, CMIA president Ram Bhogale visited Delhi to discuss the issue of air connectivity to Aurangabad.Responding to the post by the civil aviation ministry, former CMIA president Prasad Kokil said, “We are very hopeful of improving air connectivity to Aurangabad. The city will be considered for the Udan scheme for its heritage value. An Aurangabad-Varanasi-Bodhgaya flight can be expected under the Budhhist circuit.”Aurangabad-based Jaswant Singh, president of Tourism Promoters Guild, said that the initiative from the ministry is welcome and provides a ray of hope for the city.

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