In the 25 years of Chhattisgarh’s development journey since its formation, the expansion of transportation facilities has been a significant achievement. While the capital Raipur was already connected by air to major cities of the country, now cities like Bastar, Bilaspur, and Ambikapur are also benefiting from air services. Especially in Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar Division, the airport and regular passenger flights have opened up new possibilities for the region’s development.
Historical Significance of Maa Danteshwari Airport
The Maa Danteshwari Airport located in Jagdalpur holds historical importance. It was built in 1939 during British rule and was then known as “Jahaj Bhata.” In 2017, under the central government’s UDAN scheme, the Airports Authority of India began the airport’s upgradation. In 2019, it was upgraded to Category 3C, making the operation of aircraft such as the ATR-72 possible. In 2020, the Chhattisgarh government named the airport after Bastar’s presiding deity, Maa Danteshwari.
Launch of Regular Flights from Jagdalpur
In September 2020, Alliance Air began regular commercial flights from Jagdalpur to Raipur and Hyderabad. Later, flight services to Delhi, Jabalpur, and Bilaspur were also started. From March 2024, Indigo Airlines introduced a daily service connecting Jagdalpur with Hyderabad and Raipur. A special service to Delhi for paramilitary forces is also being operated.
Airport Boosting Regional Development
So far, nearly three lakh passengers have traveled by air from Jagdalpur Airport. This has not only provided convenience to local citizens but also brought remarkable improvements in trade, tourism, education, and health services. Seriously ill patients can now be transported swiftly to big cities for treatment. Students and youth are easily reaching large cities for employment and higher education. Bastar’s handicrafts, forest produce, and herbal products are now reaching major markets across the country with ease. Similarly, tourist attractions like Chitrakoot and Tirathgarh waterfalls, Kanger Valley National Park, and the historic Bastar Dussehra have become more accessible to visitors from India and abroad. The operation of Jagdalpur Airport is proving to be a new gateway for the development of the Bastar region. It is bringing modern facilities to the interior areas and giving Bastar a new identity on the national landscape. In the coming times, this airport will become an important center for the economic and social progress of the region.
