Regular commercial flight operations are set to commence from Maa Mahamaya Airport Darima Ambikapur in Surguja district to Delhi and Kolkata on Monday. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will formally inaugurate the flights virtually from Raipur at 10 am on Monday. This initiative will strengthen regional air connectivity and establish new dimensions of development. A special programme will be organised at the Auditorium of PG College Ambikapur on the occasion. Under the new air service, Alliance Air will operate a 72-seater ATR aircraft. Flights from Ambikapur to Delhi will operate twice a week, on Monday and Wednesday. On Monday, the flight will depart from Delhi at 7:50 am and arrive in Bilaspur at 10:25 am, depart from there at 10:50 am and arrive in Ambikapur at 11:35 am. The same flight will then depart from Ambikapur at 12:05 pm and arrive in Delhi at 2:35 pm. On Wednesday, a direct flight will take off from Delhi at 7.50 am and reach Ambikapur at 10.25 am, then it will leave Ambikapur at 10.50 am and reach Bilaspur at 11.35 am and from there it will take off at 12.00 pm and reach Delhi at 2.40 pm. Flights will also operate from Ambikapur to Kolkata two days a week. On Saturday, the flight will take off from Kolkata at 7.05 am and reach Bilaspur at 8.55 am, then depart from there at 9.20 am and reach Ambikapur at 10.00 am.

 

After this, it will take off from Ambikapur at 10.25 am and reach Kolkata at 12.15 pm. Whereas on Thursday, a direct flight will take off from Kolkata at 7.05 am and reach Ambikapur at 8.50 am, then depart from Ambikapur at 9.15 am and reach Bilaspur at 9.55 am and from there it will take off at 10.20 am and reach Kolkata at 12.05 pm. The scheduled service will provide passengers with both round-trip services, strengthening the Bilaspur region’s connectivity. The launch of flights to Kolkata will also provide direct connectivity to eastern India’s major commercial hub, boosting regional economic activity. It is noteworthy that Maa Mahamaya Airport, Darima, was developed under the central government’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN). Built in 1950, the runway was expanded from 1,500 metres to 1,800 metres, allowing larger aircraft like ATRs to operate here. Maa Mahamaya Airport, Darima, Ambikapur, spans approximately 365 acres. A sum of Rs 48.25 crore was approved for civil and electrification work at the airport, ensuring all work has been completed in accordance with DGCA standards. The Maa Mahamaya Airport terminal building was upgraded to accommodate 72 passengers. A four-lane road leading to the terminal building was constructed, along with parking for approximately 100 vehicles.