With Salem-Chennai flight, 1st service in Tamil Nadu takes off boosting connectivity under UDAN scheme

Chennai, March 26: The much-awaited flight service between Salem and Chennai resumed on Sunday after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan flagged off the first service under Centre's regional connectivity scheme 'UDAN’. 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan flagged off the first service, operated by private carrier Trujet, between the two cities, from Chennai.

 

The flight, with a seating capacity of 72, left Salem at 11 AM and reached Chennai at 11.50 AM. From Chennai, it departs at 9.50 AM to reach Salem at 10.40 AM. The tickets are priced at Rs 1,499.

In his address, CM Palaniswami said this launch was the first in the state under the UDAN scheme, and said it will benefit the neighbouring Erode, Namakkal, Karur, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts and also aid in industrial development.

Stating that the state government will take steps for the expansion of the Kamalapuram Airport in the outskirts of Salem, he said the land acquisition process is underway across Tamil Nadu for expansion of airports. He listed out the progress made in the expansion of airports in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tuticorin, Madurai and Tiruchirappalli.

CM Palaniswami also announced that a green corridor between Salem and Chennai will soon commence at a cost of Rs 10,000 Crores.