Airport expansion likely to boost tourism in Aurangabad

Airport expansion in Aurangabad and a nod for international flights is set to boost the tourism industry in Maharashtra. Industry stakeholders told the media that Aurangabad - known for the world-famous Ajanta and Ellora caves and other monuments - can be developed on a larger canvas if the airport expansion here allows international flights. Historical monuments under the authority of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) reopened a few days back after the state government eased the coronavirus-induced restrictions. Further, they added that a separate authority is also needed to work for the development of Maharashtra tourism. A member of the Aurangabad Tourism Development Foundation's (ATDF) aviation committee Sunit Kothari said that the expansion will help to grow the overall economy of Aurangabad and neighboring districts in the Marathwada region. Further, he added that the Maharashtra government also needs to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) on aviation turbine fuel to attract more flights. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Aurangabad circle superintendent Milan Kumar Chauley said that the encroachments should be removed around various monuments in Maharashtra. Image Source Also read: Aurangabad airport expansion hits bottleneck Also read: Tuticorin Airport expansion gets environmental clearance from govt