It is intriguing that the economical viability of Alliance Air on these routes is highly susceptible, whereas the flight service on the Silchar – Imphal route has definite viability as well as a great historical legacy, and is much awaited by citizens across both states
Biswadeep Gupta
It was a long time demand of the region to restart the Silchar-Imphal direct air link as hundreds of students from Manipur are studying in Silchar as well as there is a historic linkage between the two regions. The road connectivity is strenuous and direct rail connectivity is yet to be established.
There was a lot of expectation when it was learnt that Government run ‘Alliance Air’ will start the operation from October 30th this year after almost a gap of eight years and people had relief that now they no longer have to take the Guwahati-Imphal or Agartala-Imphal route which costs an average Rs. 10000, whereas under Regional Connectivity Scheme the airfare would be Rs.1200.
Silchar Imphal Regional Connectivity scheme route was awarded in UDAN 4.0, two years back and as per the request of the Airlines, they were also allotted office space at Silchar Airport when they applied for the commencement of the route. The Silchar Airport has the requisite infrastructure to handle additional flights and it was surprising what factor would have played while taking such a decision to drop the route from their schedule.
The entire Barak Valley and Manipur were eagerly waiting for the flight to resume on the due date but people were shocked to find that in this winter schedule, Alliance Air has withdrawn its flight from the Silchar Imphal route and provided the flight on Lilabari (North Lakhimpur)- Shillong & Lilabari – Tezpur route.
It is intriguing that the economical viability of Alliance Air on these routes is highly susceptible, whereas the flight service on the Silchar – Imphal route has definite viability as well as a great historical legacy, and is much awaited by citizens across both states. This route can prove to be one of the most viable and revenue earning routes for Alliance Air.
To make PM Modi’s Act East Policy to be successful, the Government of India cannot avoid the significance of Akhaura-Karimganj-Silchar-Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal-Moreh stretch and air connectivity makes the first step towards trade and commerce, industrial infrastructure to take place.
It is to be seen what decision is taken and how soon the same is implemented by the Government. The political representatives will have to pursue the matter to bring the same to a logical conclusion.
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l want to go silchar to imphal 10th October in your alliance air can you start flight on this route with your earlier decision.