Regular Flight Services Have Connected Bastar Division Directly to Major Cities

Raipur, 07 September

In the 25-year development journey since the formation of the state of Chhattisgarh, the expansion of transportation facilities has been a major achievement. While the capital Raipur was already connected to major cities across the country via air routes, now cities like Bastar, Bilaspur, and Ambikapur are also benefiting from air services. Especially in Jagdalpur, the divisional headquarters of Bastar, the availability of an airport and regular passenger flights has opened up new avenues for development in the region.

The Maa Danteshwari Airport located in Jagdalpur holds historical significance. It was originally constructed in 1939 during British rule and was known then as “Jahaj Bhatha.” In 2017, under the Central Government’s UDAN scheme, the Airports Authority of India began work on upgrading the airport. By 2019, it was upgraded to Category 3-C, allowing operations of aircraft like the ATR-72. In 2020, the Chhattisgarh Government renamed the airport after Maa Danteshwari, the revered deity of Bastar.

In September 2020, Alliance Air began regular commercial flights from Jagdalpur to Raipur and Hyderabad. Subsequently, flights to Delhi, Jabalpur, and Bilaspur were also introduced. From March 2024, IndiGo Airlines launched daily services connecting Jagdalpur with Hyderabad and Raipur. A special flight service to Delhi is also being operated for paramilitary forces.

So far, approximately 300,000 passengers have traveled by air from Jagdalpur Airport. This has not only provided convenience to local residents but has also led to significant improvements in trade, tourism, education, and healthcare. Critically ill patients can now be transported quickly to larger cities for advanced medical treatment. Students and youth are able to access job opportunities and higher education in major cities more easily.

Bastar’s handicrafts, forest produce, and herbal products are now reaching major markets across the country with greater ease. Additionally, tourist destinations such as Chitrakote and Tirathgarh waterfalls, Kanger Valley National Park, and the historic Bastar Dussehra festival are now more accessible to both domestic and international tourists.

The operation of Jagdalpur Airport is proving to be a new gateway of development for the Bastar region. Modern amenities are reaching even the interior areas, and Bastar is gaining a new identity on the national map. In the coming years, this airport is expected to become a key center for the economic and social progress of the region.