First chartered flight from Vietnam lands in Gaya airport

With the reopening of Indian skies for international flight operations, the first chartered flight of Pacific Airlines from Vietnam landed at Gaya airport on Sunday. “The chartered flight carrying 161 passengers on board, including devotees and tourists, will return to Vietnam on Thursday,” said Gaya airport director Bangjeet Saha. He added, “Now daily flights to Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai are available from Gaya. Not only people of Magadh region, but Jharkhand too can avail the air travel facility. The IndiGo Airlines has started flight operation between Gaya and Mumbai recently.” After start of international air services, the focus of district administration is now on boosting tourism in Bodh Gaya and enhancing the security of the world heritage Mahabodhi Mahavihara as well. Meanwhile, at the quarterly review meeting of Bodh Gaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) held on Sunday, DM-cum-BTMC chairman Thiyagarajan SM held discussions on how to increase revenue at the Mahavihara through donations. He asked the officials concerned to identify the spots on Mahavihara campus to place donation boxes. He added local men and women should be connected with income-generating activities related to tourism industry. The DM asked BTMC secretary Nangzey Dorjee to prepare a work plan to boost locally-made products. During review of the security of the Mahavihara, based on the report of inspection by security officials earlier, the DM asked officials concerned to install some more CCTV cameras on the campus in addition to the existing ones. He also asked BTMC officials to increase the height of the boundary wall of Bodh Gaya math near the reception hall of Mahavihara.