NEW DELHI: The Maharaja must be replaced by the aam admi as the mascot of Indian aviation.

Prime
Minister Narendra Modi is learnt to have conveyed this to aviation minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju
when the latter briefed him about the critical condition of the debt-laden sector on Saturday.

The PM took notes as the minister and secretary Ashok Lavasa described how the sector was facing
existential crisis thanks to its Rs 49,000-crore loans. He keenly heard the required policy initiatives and
taxation reforms the sector is hoping from the government to come out of this mess. A lower cost
regime, stressed the aviation team, will be able to lead to safe and affordable flying that will lead to the
common man becoming the face of aviation a far cry when flying was only for the Maharajas.

READ ALSO: 'Rs 49k cr losses put aviation sector on verge of collapse'

"Modi stressed on connectivity of airports with highways, ports and city side development of airports for
commercial purposes. He emphasized that CCTVs should not only be used for security but also to ensure
cleanliness at airports as well as keeping a vigil on other service providers like customs and
immigrations," said a senior official.

Prime Minister Modi urged that use of solar power must be promoted at airports. The PM also asked the
aviation authorities to take steps to reverse the downgrade of Indian aviation safety ranking by the US
federal aviation administration which happened solely due to UPA's neglect of DGCA.