Raipur, September 07, 2025 / The expansion of transportation facilities has been a significant achievement in the 25-year development journey since the formation of the state of Chhattisgarh. While the capital Raipur was already connected to major cities of the country by air, now cities like Bastar, Bilaspur and Ambikapur are also benefiting from air services. Especially in Jagdalpur, the divisional headquarters of Bastar, the airport and regular passenger flights have opened up new possibilities for development in the region.
Ma Danteshwari Airport located in Jagdalpur has historical importance. It was built in 1939 during the British rule and was then known as ”Jahaj Bhata”. In 2017, the work of upgrading the airport was started by the Airports Authority of India under the central government’s Udan scheme. In 2019, it was upgraded to 3-C category, which made the operation of aircraft like ATR-72 possible. In the year 2020, the Chhattisgarh government named the airport after Maa Danteshwari, the revered deity of Bastar.
In September 2020, regular commercial flights were started by Alliance Air from Jagdalpur to Raipur and Hyderabad. After this, flight services were also started for Delhi, Jabalpur and Bilaspur. From March 2024, Indigo Airlines started daily service connecting Jagdalpur to Hyderabad and Raipur. Special Delhi service is also being operated for paramilitary forces.
Currently, about three lakh passengers have traveled by air from Jagdalpur Airport so far. This has not only provided convenience to the local citizens, but has also led to significant improvement in trade, tourism, education and health services. It has become possible to transport seriously ill patients to big cities for prompt treatment. Students and youth are easily reaching big cities for employment and higher education.
Bastar’s handicrafts, forest produce and herbal products are now easily reaching the big markets of the country. At the same time, the access of tourists from India and abroad to tourist places like Chitrakoot and Teerathgarh waterfalls, Kanger Ghati National Park and historical Bastar Dussehra has also become easy.
The operation of Jagdalpur Airport is proving to be a new door to development for the Bastar region. Modern facilities are reaching the interior areas and Bastar is getting a new identity on the national scene. In the coming time, this airport will become an important center for the economic and social progress of the region.