New Delhi

Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Monday informed the Rajya Sabha that the new terminal building at Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur is nearing completion and is expected to be inaugurated later this year.

Responding to queries during Question Hour, the minister said construction of the upgraded terminal is progressing well and will soon be ready for operations. He added that the government is also in discussions with airlines to introduce international flight services from the city.

The update came in response to a question by BJP MP Chunnilal Garasiya, who sought clarity on the timeline for starting overseas connectivity from Udaipur.

Highlighting broader trends, Naidu said India’s aviation sector has seen significant expansion over the past decade, with a sharp rise in the number of airports, aircraft, and passenger traffic. This rapid growth, he noted, has also created a rising demand for skilled manpower.

To meet these requirements, the government has taken several steps in recent years to strengthen capacity building and workforce development in the aviation sector.

In a written reply, the minister explained that training and apprenticeship programmes in airport ground handling and related operations are primarily conducted by Ground Handling Agencies (GHAs). These include structured classroom sessions, hands-on training, and periodic refresher courses.

He said skill development efforts cover a wide range of functions such as passenger services, baggage handling, ramp operations, safety protocols, emergency response, customer service, and the use of specialised equipment.

READ MORE: Alfiya Pathan: The rising boxing Star from Nagpur, aspiring to be the Next Mary Ko

These initiatives are aligned with the government’s broader skill development policies and are implemented in coordination with airlines, training institutes, and other service providers, depending on operational needs across the country.