Bhopal Airport Eyes New Flights to Srinagar, Chennai

MP Government Invites Airline Proposals After MP Alok Sharma's Push

In a boost for air connectivity, the Madhya Pradesh government has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to airline operators, seeking direct flights from Raja Bhoj Airport here to key destinations like Srinagar, Chennai, Kerala, Dehradun, Kolkata, Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Jammu.

The Airport Authority announced this on its social media handle 'X' late Monday, inviting scheduled airlines to start services from Bhopal and other MP airports to major domestic and international routes. This follows demands raised in recent meetings, including one chaired by Bhopal MP Alok Sharma.

Proposals Stem from Advisory Panel Meetings

Manoj Meek, a member of the Raja Bhoj Airport Advisory Committee, told reporters that suggestions for better flights to Chennai, Kolkata, Goa, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Jammu, Srinagar, Dehradun, Kerala, and other cities had come up repeatedly in committee sessions. "These routes are essential for Bhopal's growth," he noted, adding that the state is now offering financial incentives to make it viable for carriers.

The RFP comes weeks after an advisory committee meeting at the airport, where MP Alok Sharma, as committee chair, discussed passenger facilities, air connectivity, cleanliness, traffic management, and future needs. Meek had earlier collected online inputs from stakeholders like Harish Mulchandani, Rajat Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Sameer Sabharwal, Sanjeev Thakur, Aruneshwar Singhdev, Alka Kumar, Rajesh Bahuguna, Sunil Malviya, and Amit Dadhich.

Key Demands Raised in Discussions

Participants pushed for non-stop flights to Chennai, alongside regular services to Kolkata, Chandigarh, Goa, Srinagar, Jammu, Jaipur, and Udaipur. Practical route ideas included Hyderabad via Chennai, Kolkata via Bagdogra, Lucknow via Dehradun, Jaipur via Jammu, and Varanasi via Ayodhya.

Other suggestions covered airport upgrades: larger backlit displays, improved public announcement systems, recliners, better parking, annual fire safety audits, and staff training for emergencies. Calls also went out for flight numbers to rise, terminal expansion, metro connectivity, aviation fuel relief, AC bus services to the city, and displays of local history, cuisine, and crafts.

Bhopal as Central Connectivity Hub

As central India's natural aviation hub, Raja Bhoj Airport stands to gain big from these expansions. Enhanced flights could spur tourism, investment, industry, education, medical travel, real estate, logistics, and the emerging knowledge and AI city initiatives around Bhopal.

Initial reports indicate airlines have already shown interest, though no timelines are set. The RFP emphasizes viability for operators, potentially leading to new services in the coming months.

Ground-Level Improvements Suggested

Meek handed over a letter detailing these demands to MP Sharma and airport director Ramji Awasthi during the meeting. Efforts to brand the airport as a "healthy airport" included proposals for fruits bars, poha stalls, and local flavors. Cleanliness in arrival-area restrooms drew specific attention, along with prior suggestions on various fronts.

Local authorities confirmed the state government's proactive step aligns with national aviation growth goals. Passengers at Bhopal airport this morning expressed hope for quicker connections, especially to southern and northern routes.

What's Next for New Routes

Airline operators now have a window to submit proposals, with the government eyeing financial support to kickstart operations. If greenlit, these flights could transform Bhopal's role in domestic travel networks, easing layovers and boosting economic ties.