In a bid to reduce traffic congestion in major cities, including Pune, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said the government was planning to introduce an indigenously developed air taxi service, with trial runs set to begin by 2026. He was speaking at the inauguration of a national conference titled "Challenges in Aerospace for Viksit Bharat- 2047", organised by the Aeronautical Society of India in the city, on Friday.
Speaking about the government's endeavour to give a fillip to the aviation sector and make it one of the best in the world, the minister said, "More than 35 per cent of aircraft components are now manufactured in India, including helicopter equipment. The government is working on increasing domestic production and expanding air transport. 50 new airports will be built in the next five years, and by 2047, the total number of airports will exceed 200. Noida and Navi Mumbai airports are in the final stages of construction, and flights will begin soon."
Earlier in 2023, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari pushed for the use of sky buses in Pune as public transport, saying that the city's roads have no potential for further expansion. "Pune roads have no scope for further expansion. The sky buses can carry 250 passengers, and they travel through the air," Gadkari said, urging Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to take a look at its presentation.
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