13th February 2019

To, All Members,

Sub: Update on important issues and action taken by IATO

Dear Colleagues,

Greetings from IATO !

This is to update you on the following important issues which we have taken up with the concerned authorities:-     

1. Request to increase frequency of Air India flight on Sector Khajuraho-Varanasi-Khajuraho:-  As Jet Airways has cancelled their flight on Sector Khajuraho-Varanasi- Khajuraho with immediate effect, we have requested Air India  that frequency of Air India flight between Khajuraho-Varanasi-Khajuraho be increased to Daily Flight so that our members can use Air India flight for their foreign/domestic tourists. This will also generate additional revenue for Air India.

We had also earlier requested Ministry of Civil Aviation to consider connecting  Khajuraho with Varanasi and Agra under Udaan Scheme, which needs to be available as soon as possible to overcome this situation during this tourist season only. This scheme should be valid for this season till April and again start from September to April when we have maximum tourists movements in the region.

2. Request for Halt of Vande Bharat Express at Tundla Junction:-  As you know, the first Train-18, Vande Bharat Express is going to be operational on 17th February 2019  from Delhi – Varanasi – Delhi. The train will cover the distance between Delhi and Varanasi in 8 hours, stopping at only two stations – Kanpur and Prayagraj. We have requested that 3 to 5  minutes halt should be given for this train to stop at Tundla Junction so that tourism industry can be benefited and foreign tourists who wish to go to Pryagraj and Varanasi after visiting Taj Mahal can board the train from Tundla Junction instead of backtracking to Delhi and taking flight/train to Varanasi. We have mentioned that Vande Bharat Express can be the bridge between Pryagraj and Varanasi to and fro for maximum utilization of a most attractive indigenous train at the service for the Tourism World to give a very positive feedback for Indian Railways.  One can experience the touch of real India. This will help grow local tourism in all the 3 cities and create many job opportunities to our young generation.  Vande Bharat Express train will be very useful for domestic as well as foreign tourists who would like to travel from Agra to Varanasi and they can board the train from Tundla Junction. Tundla Junction is an important station in Uttar Pradesh and is about 25 km from Agra City.

3.  Agitation by Gujjar Community - Request for Police Protection of Tourists:- A letter has been written to Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan that due to the agitation by the Gujjar Community, our members are very much worried about the safety and security of tourists who are travelling to Rajasthan by Road and this is the peak tourists season.  We have requested to remove the road blocks and provide police protection on the following highways:-

•  Delhi – Jaipur Highway

•   Agra – Jaipur Highway

•   Agra – Swai Madhopur – Jaipur - Highway

We have also requested to restore Indian Railway routes which is resulting cancellation of many important trains and passengers are being put to hardship due to agitation and blocking of railway tracks at some locations.

Request has been made to deploy sufficient police force to avoid any inconvenience to tourists and also avoid any mis-happening which may give negative publicity and dampen the tourism growth to Rajasthan.

Above is for your information and we shall keep you update once there is any development on the above matters.

With regards,

Pronab Sarkar

President