Wednesday, April 20 2005 08:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Babulal Gaur yesterday (Apr 19, 2005) assured airline companies that his Government would rationalise the sales tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF).

The assurance by Gaur came on the concluding day of the two-day Confederation Of India Industry (CII) conclave in New Delhi where he asked the airline companies to explore the State's immense tourism potential.

He said his State was fast emerging as hub of Information Technology, industrial activity and academic pursuits besides its immense tourism potential and said Madhya Pradesh was an ideal destination for airlines companies.

He asked the Centre to grant international status to Bhopal airport and informed that the length of the runway was being augmented to 7,500 ft to enable landing of bigger aircraft.

He also said he has requested Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee to expedite transfer of land from the Army for the purpose.

Madhya Pradesh Civil Aviation Secretary S S Uppal said of the five airports in the state, four had night-landing facility and informed that Air Deccan has announced to commence Delhi-Bhopal service from April 23.